The following text and/or outline has been excerpted from a forthcoming book by Henry Doktorski (Hrishikesh Das) tentatively titled Uniting East and West: Sacred Music and Kirtanananda Swami Bhaktipada's Great Experiment in Christian-Style Worship at the New Vrindaban Hare Krishna Community.
After the temple morning service was established in English, Bhaktipada focused on creating a liturgy for the noon service. Traditionally, the noon aroti was not well attended at ISKCON temples. Even at New Vrindaban, the noon aroti was only well attended on Sundays, immediately prior to the Sunday feast. Bhaktipada wanted all of the devotees to attend the noon service seven days of the week, as well as the evening service. Attendance increased dramatically due to his forceful preaching.
Adipurusha Swami leads the boisterous noon service, ca. summer 1991. The harp is covered as it was only played during the more subdued morning service.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura's Bhoga-arati from Gitavali (1893) was customarily sung during the noon aroti at ISKCON temples. It began:
bhaja bhakata-batsala sri-gaurahari
sri-gaurahari sohi gostha-bihari,
nanda-jasomati-citta-hariThis charming Bengali song depicted a typical lunch meal which child Krishna would enjoy with his parents, cowherd boy friends and girl friends. After a short introduction -- in which Krishna is revealed to be non-different from Gaura Hari: Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu -- Krishna's mother, Yasoda, calls her son to come quickly inside the house to take his lunch: "don't make us wait, . . . it's getting late." Krishna's father, Nanda Maharaja, then orders his son to sit and eat with his brother Balarama and all the other cowherd boys.
Next, the menu for the 24-course meal is described in exquisite detail by Bhaktivinoda: "The feast begins with fried delights, and salad made from leaves of jute, then lentils cooked in thickened milk, and baskets filled with luscious fruit. . ." Krishna's buddy, Madhumangal, who likes to clown around, makes a scene when he raises his voice and demands, "Just give me one more laddu now!" When the feast is finally finished, Krishna and his friends take a nap while Radharani and her girlfriends sample the remnants from Krishna's plate.
Noon Service: New Vrindaban residents dancing and chanting with organ and kettledrums.
Umapati Swami created a beautiful English translation in rhymed verse of Bhaktivinoda's Bengali poem and titled it simply Noon Arati. I then set the poem to music; he chose the melody from the traditional Christmas carol: I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In, a giddy tune, like a jig. After all the 16 verses were finished, the devotees would sing Hare Krishna to the same tune while I modulated higher and higher on the organ, ascending into higher and higher keys until the devotees voices were raised to the brink. I thought it was jolly good fun and captured the playful spirit of the cowherd boys. 1.
Noon Arati
English Lyrics by Umapati SwamiLord Krishna, whose affection goes
To each and every devotee --
This Cowherd Boy of Braja Dham
Has come again as Gaur Hari.Lord Krishna stole Yasoda's heart
And Nanda's too, as their dear son.
And Krishna is Sri Gaur Hari.
All glories to the Golden One.Yasoda Mata calls her son:
My Damodhar, don't make us wait.
Please come inside and take Your lunch.
The hour is past; It's getting late.King Nanda tells his son to sit
And eat with all the cowherd boys.
And Krishna's brother, Balaram,
Will share in all their lunchtime joys.The feast begins with fried delights,
And salad made from leaves of jute,
Then lentils cooked in thickened milk,
And baskets filled with luscious fruit.Then puri breads with thick sweet cream,
Chapati breads and rice with ghee,
And dal cakes boiled in sugared rice,
And sweets of milk and sesame.Some rice-flour cakes and cooked-down milk,
And yogurt and delicious cheese,
With tam'rinds, limes and lemons, too,
And flowers from banana trees.Srimati Radharani's rice
Makes Krishna smile with every bite,
Her sweets and curried vegetables
And pastries bring Him great delight."Just give me one more laddu now,"
Says Madhumangal, having fun.
He cries out, "Hari Hari Bol!"
And Krishna laughs and gives him one.While eating at Yasoda's house,
The Lord knows joy that never ends
As from the corners of His eyes,
He watches Radha and Her friends.Some water with a touch of rose
Will make Lord Krishna's lunch complete.
The boys will nap with Balaram.
They wash their mouths and hands and feet.Jambula and Rasala bring
Some betel nuts and catechu
And fancy spices for the Lord,
Whose form is young and ever new.Then Krishnachandra goes to sleep,
So happy with His devotees,
And Vishalaksha fans the Lord,
Creating a delightful breeze.Gopi Danistha brings prasad --
The food that's left on Krishna's plate --
So Radharani can enjoy
The remnants of what Krishna ate.Lalita Devi's pure heart sings,
The other gopis share her bliss --
They eat what Radharani leaves.
What soul could ask for more than this?His Grace Srila Bhaktipada
Has sung of his eternal joy --
The pastimes of his Lord Hari,
None other than this Cowherd Boy.
But many devotees thought Lord Krishna and the Cowherd Boys was too frivolous; they wanted something more serious for the noon aroti. After some deliberation, Bhaktipada selected two hymns which he thought were appropriate. The first, All Creatures of Our God and King, a hymn with original Latin text by Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), had been translated into English by William H. Draper (1855-1933). The melody, Lasst uns Erfreuen, came from Auserlesene Catholische Geistliche Kirchengezeng (1623) and was harmonized by the great English composer and organist, Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958). Bhaktipada changed all the Alleluias into Hare Krishnas and modified a few other words here and there.
All Creatures of Our God and King
Lyrics adapted by Kirtanananda Swami BhaktipadaAll creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voices, let us sing: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna!
Bright burning sun with golden beams,
Pale silver moon that gently gleams,
O praise Him, O praise Him: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Hare Rama.Great rushing winds and breezes soft,
You clouds that ride the heav'ns aloft, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna;
Fair rising morn with praise rejoice,
Stars, nightly shining, find a voice,
O praise Him, O praise Him: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Hare Rama.Swift flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for your Lord to hear: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna!
Fire so intense and fiercely bright,
You give to us both warmth and light,
O praise Him, O praise Him: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Hare Rama.Dear Mother Earth, you day by day,
Unfold your blessings on our way, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna;
All fruits and flow'rs that in you grow,
Let them His glory also show,
O praise Him, O praise Him: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Hare Rama.All you with mercy in your heart,
Forgiving others take your part, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna;
All you that pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and cast on Him your care;
O praise Him, O praise Him: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Hare Rama.And even you most gentle death,
Waiting to hush our final breath, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna;
You lead back home the child of God,
For Thou, Krishna, the way have trod;
O praise Him, O praise Him: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Hare Rama.Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna;
Praise Lord Krishna, the Cowherd Boy,
He is the reservoir of joy,
O praise Him, O praise Him: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Hare Rama.The second hymn which was selected by Bhaktipada for singing at the noon aroti was the eight verses of the Sikshastaka Prayers, written by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, which began:
ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam
An English translation in rhymed verse was written by one of Bhaktipada's literary disciples, True Peace, and set to music by me.
sreyah-kairava-candrika-vitaranam vidya-vadhu-jivanam.
Siksastaka Prayers
English lyrics by True Peace1. Hail Sri Krishna Sankirtan!
Man's primary benediction;
It cleanses every heart of sin
And quells samsara's fire within.Rays of benediction's moon,
Transcendental knowledge boon;
It increases the sea of bliss,
The nectar of our consciousness.2. Lord, Your holy name alone
All of humankind atones;
With hundreds, millions of your names
Your potency fore'er remains.I am so unfortunate,
No desire have I for it;
Your mercy helps us to approach
Your holy names beyond reproach.3. Chant in a state of humbleness,
Think yourself lower than the grass;
Be tolerant just like a tree,
Lose false identity.Please chant the Lord's name constantly;
And respect other entities,
While in a state of humbleness,
Full of all blessedness.4. Mighty Lord, I've no desire,
To great wealth I don't aspire;
For naught does passion hinder me,
Nor leadership's exigency.| Grant me causeless grace in this:
Grant devotional service;
As long as I remain on earth
I want to serve birth after birth.5. Son of Maharaja Nanda,
All attractive Lord Krishna;
Your servant eternal am I
Wishing to serve You, Lord, most high.I have fallen to the earth,
Subject to death and rebirth;
Lord, lift me to that joy complete,
An atom at Your lotus feet.6. When will my tears flow constantly?
When will my voice choke, failing me?
When will my hairs stand? I exclaim:
All glories to Your name!Lord, fill my eyes with tears of love,
Please shape me to Your will above;
And purge resistance from my will,
I'll be Your servant still.7. O my Govinda! How tears run
When I feel Your separation!
Each moment seems twelve years or more --
Now I cannot endure.Tears flow in torrents from my eyes.
In Your absence I realize
Vacant is the world without You.
Please tell me what to do.8. None but Krishna is my Lord!
You alone shall be adored!
Though You may buffet or embrace,
None other shall my Lord replace.Though Your absence breaks my heart,
You do no wrong for Your part;
In everything completely free,
My most worshipful Lord is Thee!At the end of the hymn, the cantor, orchestra and devotees broke out into a rousing Hare Krishna kirtan with organ, kettledrums & crash cymbal. Devotees in the congregation often played karatals and mridangas, and also danced and clapped their hands.
When the conch blew, the hymn ended, the English Jaya Om prayers were recited and the Prayers to Nrsimhadeva were sung. Then the devotees listened to a reading from one of Bhaktipada's books and then settled into a silent meditation for perhaps 20 minutes.
At the conclusion of the meditation, I or Radha Vrindaban Candra Swami began playing the introduction to I Surrender All on the organ, after which all the devotees joined in.
I Surrender All 1. All to Krishna, I surrender;
Lyrics by Judson W. Van DeVenter (1855-1939); adapted by Kirtanananda Swami Bhaktipada. Music by Winfield S. Weeden (1847-1904).
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
Refrain: I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee, my blessèd Krishna,
I surrender all.
All to Krishna I surrender;
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Krishna, take me now.
Refrain
2. All to Krishna, I surrender;
Make me, Krishna, wholly Thine;
Let me feel Thy loving presence,
Truly know that Thou art mine.
Refrain
3. All to Krishna, I surrender;
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power;
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
RefrainThe New Vrindaban noon service was appreciated by many devotees and guests. The New Vrindaban Worldwide indicated that the English kirtan and music was even enjoyed by elderly Indian matajis in saris: "Highlights of the weekend were the noon services in the temple. Even though the hall is enormous, it was packed with families and pilgrims clapping and singing along with the English kirtan and music. Everyone was participating, everyone was enlivened and everyone especially enjoyed chanting the English words, even elderly matajis in saris." 2.
End Notes 1. For the entire Bengali song with English translation, see The Songs of Bhaktivinoda Thakura, prepared by Yogesvara dasa (ISKCON Press: 1980), pp. 72-75.2. Memorial Day Festivities, New Vrindaban Worldwide (New Vrindaban WV: June 15, 1991), p. 3.
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