The atmosphere of Vrindavan in the mid-1970s was a unique tapestry of ancient tradition and a new, global awakening of Bhakti. To sit in the dust of Vraja during those years was to hear a soundtrack of pure devotion that never truly ceased.
“By the time of the first great Mayapur/Vrindavan Festival in 1974, the Sita Rama Mandir had already been performing uninterrupted 24-hour kirtan for 60 years. For those of us staying at the Fogla Ashram—the hub of our activities and morning programs with Srila Prabhupada—this kirtan was the constant, melodious soundtrack to our lives.”
“The previous year in 1976 on Ram Navami, I recorded a kirtan with a decent quality monophonic tape recorder. Determined to capture the subtleties of this fluid devotional expression, I returned in 1977 with a Nakamichi portable recording system and three high-quality condenser microphones. This created an immersive recording which gives the listener an idea of what it was like to sit in and participate.”
~Gopati dasa (ACBSP)
This high-fidelity archive is more than just audio; it is a sensory journey back to a simpler time in the holy city:
Authentic Devotional Atmosphere: The natural ambiance of Vrindavan, including the sounds of peacocks and the distant, rhythmic calls of "Jaya Radhe."
Masterful Instrumentation: Intricate dholak rhythms and sweet, traditional melodies played by practitioners who lived for the kirtan.
The Spirit of Devotion: A celebration of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu and the emblem of righteousness (Dharma).
"This recording is more than just audio; it is a document of a 60-year legacy of prayer and the vibrant energy of Vrindavan before the world changed."
To understand the depth of the kirtan at Sita Rama Mandir, we look to the teachings of Srila Prabhupada, who explained the transcendental nature of Lord Ramachandra during a lecture on April 1st, 1974:
“Antavanta ime dehāḥ. Anta means this body. Antavanta ime dehā nityasyoktāḥ śarīriṇaḥ [Bg. 2.18] = 'But within the body, the proprietor of the body is nitya.' So nityo nityānām. If I am nitya, eternal, then I should be interested in eternal happiness. But the eternal happiness is not possible to enjoy by this body. Therefore it is said, ramante yoginaḥ anante."
"So ananta-ramaṇa, that is the description of Rāma. Rāma means ananta-ānanda, unlimited happiness. Iti rāma-padenāsau paraṁ brahmābhidhīyate [Cc. Madhya 9.29]. Rāma is paraṁ brahma, and Kṛṣṇa is also paraṁ brahma. Kṛṣṇa is recognized by Arjuna after understanding Bhagavad-gītā, paraṁ brahma paraṁ dhāma pavitraṁ paramaṁ bhavān [Bg. 10.12]. So there is no different between Rāma and Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is also paraṁ brahma, and Rāma is also paraṁ brahma. [break] ...day of Lord Rāmacandra."
"So we Vaiṣṇava, we have equal faith and obeisances to all viṣṇu-mūrtis, rāmādi-mūrtiṣu, Rāma, Nṛsiṁha, Varāha, Nārāyaṇa, Mahāviṣṇu... There are advaitam acyutam anādim ananta-rūpam [Bs. 5.33]. But we Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava or Madhva-Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava, we are worshiper of Lord Kṛṣṇa mūrti. Lord Rāmacandra's mūrti and Kṛṣṇa's mūrti, there is no difference."
"But as I have already explained, Kṛṣṇa paraṁ brahma full-fledged, and Lord Rāmacandra is also paraṁ brahma, but He did not exhibit His full-fledged opulence. So these are very confidential things, but still, on the birthday of Lord Rāmacandra we offer our respectful obeisances at His lotus feet so that He may be merciful upon us to bestow His bhakti, devotional service.”
~A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Recorded March 1977 at the Sita Ram Mandir, Vrindavan, India
By Gopati dasa (ACBSP)
Remastered 2024 by Uttamasloka dasa (ACBSP)
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare