Welcome to Dravida dasa's Padma Productions, featuring a variety of selections
from Vaishnava scripture in audio format, with exquisite Sanskrit poetry fromSrimad Bhagavatam
and other Vedic literature. Most selections consist of
Sanskrit verses chanted to tamboura accompaniment, with English
translation and original versification.
Dravida dasa is a Vaishnava scholar, musician and poet who has edited
Back to Godhead magazine and other books published by the Bhaktivedanta
Book Trust for over 25 years.
To order, click on button.
Works
of Dravida Dasa on MP3
All of the nectar described below [1-17] - not including Bhagavad Gita audiobook
- in MP3 format
$45.00
Complete Works
of Dravida Dasa on MP3
1. Sri Brahma-samhita
and Sri Krsna-karnamrta
listen to audio
clip
Here
are the famous Govindam Prayers from the Brahma-samhita, the
glorification of Sri Krsna that Lord Brahma sang
when the Lord revealed
Himself to Brahma at the dawn of the universe. The Krsna-karnamrta,
by Bilvamangala Thakura,
was one of Lord Caitanya's favorite works.
He would often listen to his secretary, Svarupa Damodara Gosvami,
chant verses
from the Karnamrta during the latter portion of His
pastimes, in Jagannatha Puri. The poetry of the Karnamrta is
unsurpassed
in Vaishnava annals; it is recognized as a classic of Vaisnava
literature. Lord Caitanya discovered these two books on His
tour of South
India, and He eagerly had them copied so He could take them back to Puri
and share them with all the
devotees there, who greatly relished them.
Translations of the Brahma-samhita are by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati Thakura and Srila Prabhupada; the translations of the Krsna-karnamrta
are by Dravida dasa.
60-min.
audiocassette: $5.00
2. The Gopis
Enchanted by Krsna's Flute listen to audio
clip
This
tape is a selection of delightful verses glorifying Lord Caitanya,
Lord Krsna, Radha-Krsna, and the Holy Name. Side A
begins with Chapter
21 of the Tenth Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, describing the
gopis' reactions when they hear Krsna
playing the flute in the forest
of Vrndavana as He herds the cows. Supernectarean. Then there are two important
eight-verse
poems by Rupa Gosvami, one about Radha and Krsna, the second
about the Holy Name. Side B begins with a short excerpt
from the Sri
Caitanya-candramrta, a work by Srila Rupa Gosvami called the Mukunda-muktavali,
which will astound you with
its charming poetic meters, all in glorification
of Krsna.
All the translations on this tape except the Bhagavatam
verses are by Sriman Kusakratha dasa, the Bhagavatam verses are
translated by Srila Prabhupada and His Holiness Hridayananda dasa
Goswami.
60-min.
audiocassette: $5.00
3. Srila
Prabhupada's Favorite Bhagavatam Verses
listen
to audio clip
Anyone
who has ever heard Srila Prabhupada speak, either in person or
on tape, knows that he often quoted the original
Sanskrit verses
from scriptures like Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.
This establishes the Absolute authority of the
discourse, he explained,
and he encouraged his followers to do the same. This tape contains
all the verses Srila Prabhupada
would most often quote from the Bhagavatam
in his lectures and purports. In other words, it contains the essence
of the
Bhagavatam's philosophy. Inspirational and instructive.
Translations by Srila Prabhupada and His Holiness Hridayananda
dasa Goswami
90-min.
audiocassette: $7.00
4. Summary
of Lord Krsna's Vrndavana Pastimes listen
to audio clip
This
is a wonderful work by Srila Rupa Gosvami. It consists of 18 verses,
some up to 50 lines long, that summarize Krsna's pastimes
from
His appearance in Mathura to His annihilation of the demon Kamsa.
Once again, Rupa Gosvami's unparalleled poetic prowess
shines
forth magnificently as he waxes ecstatic in his praise of the Lord.
The tapes also contain background music of vina, santoor,
flute,
tabla, and mrdunga, as well as a short selection of songs by Rupa
Gosvami. An enchanting meditation on the Lord's glorious
pastimes
and qualitites.
Translations by Kusakratha dasa
Two
60-min. audiocassettes: $10.00
5. Summary
of Lord Caitanya's Pastimes listen to audio
clip
In
105 verses, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has given a concise description
of Lord Caitanya's pastimes. This is an ideal tape for jogging
the memory of one who is somewhat familiar with the Lord's pastimes,
or for introducing a newcomer to the nectarean lila of the golden
avatara.
The work also contains a marvelous 10-point summary of the philosophy
Lord Caitanya taught, explained in ten succinct verses
by the Thakura.
In addition, the tape contains a short work by Srila Raghunananda Thakura
about Lord Caitanya.
Translated by Kusakratha dasa
90-min
audiocassette: $7.00
6. The Prayers
of King Kulasekhara listen to audio
clip
This
work comprises sixty ecstatic verses by the most famous of the
Alvars, great devotees of Lord Krsna who lived in South India before
the
time of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Prabhupada began translating
and commenting upon this work before starting the Bhagavatam,
completed six verses, and even listed it under "other books available
from the same author" on the title page of his original New Delhi
Bhagavatams. This is a very nectarean and inspiring work.
Also included on this tape is Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami's "Instructions
to
the Mind" (Manan siksa). a classic of Gaudiya-vaisnava literature.
The first six translations of "The Prayers of King
Kulasekhara" are by Srila Prabhupada, the remainder of the verses
on the tape by Kusakratha dasa
60-min.
audiocassette: $5.00
7. Sri Caitanya-candramrta
listen to audio clip
This
supernectarean work about Lord Caitanya is by Srila Prabhodananda
Sarasvati, a great Vaishnava scholar and poet whom Lord Caitanya
met and attracted on His South Indian tour. Prabhodananda Sarasvati
was the uncle of Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami. In these 143 verses,
the
author churns the ocean of glorification of Lord Caitanya and His
devotees in an unprecedented beautiful way. Srila Prabhupada wanted
this
work translated. The tapes also contain Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura's
Nityanandastakam, eight verses glorifying Lord Nityananda; the
Gauranga-stava-kalpa-vrksa, twelve moving verses in the mood
of separation from Lord Caitanya by Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami; and
the
Sri Godruma-candra-bhajanopadesa ("Instructions for the Worship
of Lord Caitanya, the Moon of Godruma"), by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura.
Translated by Kusakratha dasa
two
90-min. audiocassettes: $14.00
8. The Narayana-kavaca
Shield listen to audio
clip
This
famous mantric armor for protection from all dangers appears in
the Srimad Bhagavatam's Sixth Canto. The tape also contains
many minutes
from Srila Prabhupada chanting Hare Krsna.
Translated by Srila Prabhupada
60-min
audiocassette: $5.00
9. The Nrsimha-kavaca
Shield listen to audio
clip
Another
mantric armor, this time from the Brahmanda-purana, consisting
of verses glorifying Lord Nrsimhadeva. This tape also contains
a moving
prayer for the mercy of Sri Sri Laksmi-Nrsimha, written
by Sripad Sankaracarya, as well
as
Prahlada Maharaja's prayers to Lord Nrsimha from the Bhagavatam.
60-min. audioassette: $6.00
10. Lord
Krsna's Complete Vrndavana-lila listen
to audio clip
This
series of tapes contains, for the most part, a dramatic reading
of the translations of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Tenth Canto,
Chapters 1-45. These
describe Krsna's pastimes from His appearance
to His rescuing the son of Sandipani Muni from the abode of Yamaraja.
Occasional verses are chanted,
and appropriate background music of
flute, vina, tamboura, santoor, sitar, shenai, and tabla enhance the
mood of the pastimes. For those who thrill to
hear Krsna's pastimes
as they are, who never tire of immersing thier minds in Sukadeva Gosvami's
unique poetic descriptions of the Lord and His lila,
these tapes are
for you.
Translations by Srila Prabhupada and His Holiness Hridayananda
dasa Gosvami
Five
90-min. audiocassettes bound in a sturdy vinyl album: $25.00
11. Lord
Krsna's Complete Dvaraka-lila listen
to audio clip
This
is the companion album to #10 (Krsna's Vrndavana-lila) containing
a reading of chapters 46-90 of the Bhagavatam. Highlights
include Uddhava's
visit to Vrndavana, Srimati Radharani's "Song
to the Bee," the Lord's pastimes with Srimati Rukmini-devi, King
Yudhisthira's Rajasuya sacrifice, and the
prayers of the personified
Vedas.
Translations by Srila Prabhupada and His Holiness Hridayananda
dasa Gosvami
One
60- and five 90-min. audiocassettes bound in a sturdy vinyl album: $30.00
12. Siksastaka,
Upadesamrta, and Isopanisad listen to audio
clip
Here
are three essential little works, all translated by Srila Prabhupada
and quoted by him extensively in his books and lectures. The Siksastaka
consists
of eight verses on the chanting of the Holy Name by Lord
Caitanya Himself. Their importance for every Vaishnava cannot be
overestimated. The Upadesamrta
consists of eleven instructions
(the title translates as "The Nectar of Instruction") concerning the
process of devotional service to Krsna. And the Isopanisad,
the foremost of the Upanisads, is one of Prabhupada's first translated
works to appear in America.
60-min
audiocassette: $5.00
13.A Rupa
Gosvami Sampler listen to
audio clip
This
tape begins with two eight-verse poems about Lord Caitanya in which
Rupa Gosvami prays to have the darshan and receive the mercy of the
Lord once
again. Very beautiful and moving. Then there is a meditation
on Lord Krsna coming back from the forest of Vrndavana with His cows
and friends; it's called
the Kesavastaka. Then there are two
eight-verse poems about Krsna as Kunja-vihari, "He who sports in
the groves of Vrndavana." Delightful in content and
meter. I
have also included a five-verse poem called the "Tri-bangi-cchanda-stava."
The metric and alliterative virtuosity have to be heard to be believed.
Miscellaneous verses from the Stava-mala (the source of all
the verses) round out the tape. A feast for the ears.
60-min
audiocassette: $5.00
14. The Vraja-vilasa-stava
(Prayers About the Lord's Pastimes in Vrindavana) Listen
This
wonderful poem by Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami is a tour de force
of verses glorifying all the major persons, animals, and places
in Vrndavana - from
Radha and Krsna to the gopis Visakha, Lalita, and
others; to Krsna's parents, grandparents, uncles, friends, and servants;
to Krsna's pet bull and His surabhi cows,
the Yamuna River, Kesi-ghata,
and Vamsi-ghata, and much more. Also included are several other selections
from the Stavavali, an anthology of poems by
Raghunatha dasa
Gosvami.
90-min.
audiocassette: $7.00
15. The Bhagavad-gita
As It Is: Sanskrit with English Translations Click here to listen
Here
are all of Srila Prabhupada's realized translations of the Bhagavad-gita
As It Is, plus melodious chanting of the original Sanskrit verses
spoken by Lord Krsna
five thousand years ago on the Battlefield of
Kuruksetra. Excellent for devotees who want to refresh their remembrance
of memorized verses, or for anyone who
would like to relish the timeless
teachings of the Gita even when unable to sit down and study
Srila Prabhupada's matchless Bhagavad-gita
As
It Is.
four
audiocassettes bound in a sturdy vinyl album: $18.00
MP3 edition $18.00
16. Complete
Bhagavad-gita As It Is: Sanskrit, English Translations, plus Purports
Listen
Here
is the complete text of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, with
Srila Prabhupada's realized translations and purports, plus melodious
chanting of the original Sanskrit verses
spoken by Lord Krsna
five thousand years ago on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra.
Excellent for devotees who want to hear Srila Prabhupada's Bhagavad-gita
As It Is regularly
but don't have enough time to read as much
as they would like. The final tape also includes selections from
the Srimad Bhagavatam.
18
audiocassettes bound in two sturdy vinyl albums: $35.00
MP3 edition $35.00
17. Readings
from Srimad-Bhagavatam listen
to audio clip
"The Ultimate Dharma" "What to Do about Death"
Here
are two essential sections from the Srimad-Bhagavatam,
the crown jewel of all Vedic literatures. In the first excerpt,
from the First Canto, Srila Prabhupada illuminates
a passage describing
Krsna consciousness as the supreme religious activity - what its
goals are and how to practice it. In the second excerpt, from the
Second Canto, Sukadeva
Goswami instructs King Pariksit, who was facing
certain death in a week, on how to face his fate fearlessly and successfully
by becoming absorbed in thoughts of Krsna. Both
sections concisely
describe the purifying and sanctifying power of Krsna consciousness
in beautiful Sanskrit poetry and Srila Prabhupada's
realized translations and
commentary.
two audiocassettes bound in a sturdy
vinyl album: $12.00
18. Nectar
Poems I listen to
audio clip
This
tape contains something a little different: versifications of the
translations of Sanskrit slokas, and even a few original poems.
We start off with Srila Prabhupada's obeisances
mantra, then move
on to an astaka (eight-verse poem) about Srila Prabhupada, an astaka
about Lord Caitanya, and then several astakas about Lord Krsna and
Srimati Radharani.
The tape also includes the Sri Siksastaka (Eight Verses
of Instruction on the Holy Name, by Lord Caitanya) and lots of other
verses about Krsna's holy name, pastimes, qualities, form,
and devotees.
Sample (from the Krsna-karnamrta): "Sweet, sweet is my dear Lord's form,/
Sweeter still His face, so fair,/ But His honey-scented gentle smile/
Is sweet beyond compare."
75-min.
audiocassette: $6.00
19.
Nectar Poems II
listen to
audio clip
In Goloka
Vrndavana, Lord Brahma says, every word is a song. We find that transcendental
reality reflected in this world in the flood of nectar that comprises the
songs and verses
composed by Lord Krsna and the great Vaisnava acaryas. From
the words of Lord Krsna Himself in his Bhagavad-gita -- "The Song of God"
-- to the Bhagavata Purana's exquisite
Sanksrit verses, to the poetry of
Krsnadasa Kaviraj and the songs of Narottama, Jayadeva, Vidyapati, and countless
others, the soul of bhakti resounds to the rhythym of exquisite
verse. In
that vein, I offer this humble recording of original English poems, mostly
based on Sanskrit and Bengali writings of the acaryas. Here there are octaves
in honor of Srila
Prabhupada, Lord Caitanya, Sri Krsna, and Srimati Radharani,
original compositions like "The Fall and Redemptioin of the Soul," English
renditions of several classics about the
holy name, headed by Sri Siksastaka,
and much more.
Two 60-minute+ MUSIC CDs $20.00
20. Padyavali
listen to
audio clip
The Padyavali contains
392 of Srila Rupa Gosvami's favorite verses. A few are by him, but most
are by others, including Caitanya Mahaprabhu (Siksastaka), Madhavendra Puri,
and
Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya. Some of the chapters are: The Glory of Devotional
Service, The Glory of the Holy Name,The Glory of the Devotees, and
Lord Krsna's Love for the Devotees.
Sample verse, from the chapter glorifying
the holy name: May Krsna's holy name, which is a reservoir of all transcendental
happiness, the destruction of Kali-yuga's sins, the most
purifying of all
purifying things, the saintly person's food as he quickly traverses the
path to the spiritual world, the pleasure garden where the voices of the
greatest saints, philosophers,
and poets play, the life of the righteous,
and the seed of the tree of religion, bring transcendental auspiciousness
to you all.
One
5 hour, 38 minute MP3: $10.00
|
Dravida dasa began his career as an English editor for
the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust in 1975 and has continued up to the
present, except for a year at ISKCON's scientific branch, the Bhaktivedanta
Institute, from 1978 to 1979. From 1983 to 1989 he was part of the
team that produced the last six 1,000-page volumes of the magnum opus
of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada: a commentated
English translation of India's jewel of Vedic wisdom, the 18,000-verse
Shrimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana). He also
helped produce the revised version of Shrila Prabhupada's nine-volume
Chaitanya-charitamrita during 1995-96 and his Krishna
book from 1994-95. In addition to his editing work, he teaches Bhakti
Yoga classes at the Los Angeles and San Diego ISKCON centers.
Throughout all this immersion in transcendental literature, Dravida dasa developed a love of the Sanskrit language, and especially the elaborate Sanskrit prosody of the Bhagavatam, portions of the Chaitanya-charitamrita, and other bhakti literature. His devotion and expertise in chanting form a marvelous combination evident on these audiotapes. |
The Holy Name of Sri Hari
Is All That Be
by Anonymous
versification by Dravida dasa
madhuram madhurebhyo 'pi mangalebhyo
'pi mangalam
pavanam pavanebhyo
'pi harer namaiva kevalam
Of sweet things, it's the sweetest you
will taste at any time;
Of things that bring good fortune, it's good fortune's paradigm;
Of things that purify,
it purifies most powerf'lly;
The Holy Name of Sri Hari is surely all that be.
abrahma-stamba-paryantam sarvam maya-mayam
jagat
satyam satyam punah
satyam harer namaiva kevalam
>From Brahma's realm atop the sky down
to the lowly grass,
Illusion reigns in Maya-devi's treacherous morass.
The truth, the truth,
the only truth: the Name of Sri Hari.
The Holy Name of Sri Hari is surely all that be.
sa guruh sa pita capi sa mata bandhavo
'pi sah
siksayec cet sada
smartum harer namaiva kevalam
He's the guru, he's the father, he's the
friend most true,
And she's the real mother who most kindly teaches you
To always chant
and hear the Holy Name of Sri Hari.
The Holy Name of Sri Hari is surely all that be.
nihsvase na hi visvasah kada ruddho bhavisyati
kirtaniya mato balyad
harer namaiva kevalam
Remember that our final breath may come
at any time,
No matter if we're old and sick or in our youthful prime.
So young and old
alike should chant the Name incessantly.
The Holy Name of Sri Hari is surely all that be.
harih sada vaset tatra yatra bhagavata-janah
gayanti bhakti-bhavena
harer namaiva kevalam
Lord Sri Hari forever dwells wherever
devotees
Whose hearts are fixed on Him and free of all impurities
Uplift their voices
high and sing His Name in ecstasy.
The Holy Name of Sri Hari is surely all that be.
aho duhkham maha-duhkham duhkhad duhkhataram
yatah
kacartham vismrtam
ratna-harer namaiva kevalam
Alas! What sorrow! What great pain! The
worst calamity-
For people to forget the Holy Name of Sri Hari!
Although the Name's
a priceless gem, mere broken glass they see.
The Holy Name of Sri Hari is surely all that be.
diyatam diytatam karno niyatam niyatam
vacah
giyatam giyatam
nityam harer namaiva kevalam
Just fill your ears, just fill them with
the Name of Sri Hari!
Just chant the Name, just chant the Name with all sincerity!
Just sing the Name,
just sing the Holy Name eternally!
The Holy Name of Sri Hari is surely all that be.
trni-krtya-jagat sarvam rajate sakalopari
cid-ananda-mayam
suddham harer namaiva kevalam
It makes this world appear like bits of
straw upon the ground;
It splendorously reigns supreme-divinity in sound;
It's filled with
transcendental bliss and peerless purity;
The Holy Name of Sri Hari is surely all that be.
Inspired to glorify the Holy Name of Sri
Hari,
A certain sage composed this hymn in Sanskrit poetry.
I pray that those
who read this lowly version made by me
Will
chant the Holy Name of Sri Hari in ecstasy.
From Srimad Bhagavatam
10.21.2 and 10.21.5
versification
by Dravida dasa
Vrndavan's rivers, lakes, and hills
Rang out with lovely hums and trills
As flocks of birds
and maddened bees
Rejoiced among the flow'ring trees.
To those idyllic woods and glens
Repaired Govinda with His friends,
Sri Rama and the
cowherd boys,
To taste the most exquisite joys.
And as they walked along the way,
Absorbed in herding and in play,
Sri Krsna, Beauty
Absolute,
Began to blow His mystic flute.
With lovely peacock plume upon His head,
And small blue blossom placed upon each ear,
He entered Vraja's
woods with graceful tread,
A handsome dancing actor without peer.
His golden-yellow raiment brightly glowed,
His splendid garland reached down to His knees,
And from His luscious
lips the nectar flowed
And filled His flute with charming melodies.
Srila Prabhupada-Kripastaka—offered
on Vyasa-puja day, 1997
(Inspired
verse-by-verse by the Gurv-astaka,
by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti
Thakura)
1.
Trapped within samsara's
all-devouring, blazing fire,
We had no hope of rescue till, by Krishna's strong desire,
You boldly sailed
across the sea to spread His Holy Name
And teach the truths of bhakti so some souls would be reclaimed.
O Prabhupada, your mercy is my only treasure
now;
Unto your soothing
lotus feet I bow.
2.
Patiently you taught
us how to chant the Holy Name,
And how to dance, and how to sing, and what was life's true aim.
And thus you gave
us Lord Caitanya's teachings unalloyed,
And saved us from the all-devouring Mayavadi void.
O Prabhupada, your mercy is my only treasure
now;
Unto your soothing
lotus feet I bow.
3.
When Krishna-bhakti
spread and you had centers here and there,
You introduced the worship of the Deities so fair.
And soon throughout
the world Their Lordships smiled upon your crew
And nourished strong devotion to Themselves, and unto you.
O Prabhupada, your mercy is my only treasure
now;
Unto your soothing
lotus feet I bow.
4.
Prasadam was your
special weapon, no one could resist;
Once the Sunday Feast had started, no one could desist.
Halva, sweet rice,
crisp pakoras, subjis, puris, rice—
With these and other preps you did our tongues and hearts entice.
O Prabhupada, your mercy is my only treasure
now;
Unto your soothing
lotus feet I bow.
5.
The books you showered
down upon the masses and on us
Taught scripture's sacred essence: bhakti pure and nectarous.
And while you wrote
you relished Sri-Sri Radha-Krishna's name
And form and pastimes, qualities, and everlasting fame.
O Prabhupada, your mercy is my only treasure
now;
Unto your soothing
lotus feet I bow.
6.
While managing your
ISKCON, with the whole world as your stage,
Meeting, preaching, trav'ling like a man of half your age,
You served Their
Lordships Sri-Sri Radha-Krishna in your heart,
Arranging for Their pastimes in Vrindavan's secret part.
O Prabhupada, your mercy is my only treasure
now;
Unto your soothing
lotus feet I bow.
7.
“The guru is as
good as God,” you said, and some were shocked.
But you had simply quoted scripture: you did not concoct.
And sure enough,
for those who worship you as they would God,
The path of bhakti opens wide and joyfully is trod.
O Prabhupada, your mercy is my only treasure
now;
Unto your soothing
lotus feet I bow.
8.
If you bestow your
mercy, then Sri Krishna gives His too;
But if your mercy's lacking, then there's nothing we can do.
So every day we
should reflect upon your life sublime
And vow to serve you always with our body, words, and mind.
O Prabhupada, your mercy is my only treasure
now;
Unto your soothing
lotus feet I bow.
9.
I pray that my small
hymn, though lacking literary worth,
Presented on this day of your appearance on this earth,
May find some favor
both with you and with your devotees,
Who hover 'round your lovely lotus feet like maddened bees.
O Prabhupada, I pray that you bestow your
mercy now;
Unto your soothing
lotus feet I bow.
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