Didn't Bhaktivinoda Thakur write a song called 'Gurudev'?

Haridas:

Didn't Bhaktivinoda Thakur write a song called 'Gurudev'?

Actually, his book of poems Saranagati contains four separate songs in the Bhajana Lalasa section which start with the invocation: 'gurudev!'.
It is a very traditional way of addressing one's guru.

Harry from Gatwick the legendary Soho temple youth and clumsey musical instrument breaker of Brighton temple fame!! ;-)

Wow,thanks Nityananda Prabhu! Very helpful. Jaya!
Ysvt.
HK!

Ok if Maharaja has forgiven u then. Hari bola!

Dina.

ccd, anything can be used in Krishna's service. Especially a musical instrument designed for kirtan! Do you think everyone thinks of bauls and how they are monists when they hear an ektara?

The guitar is an instrument of sense gratification, but we still occasionally see those.

The accordion was not an instrument designed for worship, but that is still popular with many great devotees.

The harmonium is not a Vaisnava instrument, but Prabhupada has allowed us to use it.

This is the kind of rubbish you get with devotees on the internet, nobody ever says these things in real life because they haven't the courage, but as soon as there isn't a face you can spout whatever nonsense you like.

What happened to not criticising? Have fun not eating carrots or whatever ridiculous standards you prescribe for yourself.

ccd, if Mahavishnu Swami played an Ektara in Bengal, you would have a point. He mostly visits places like Africa and Europe, where most people don't even know who the Bauls are. I can guarantee that nobody sees him on harinam and thinks that Hare Krishnas are Bauls.

It is quite likely that Maharaj can defend his position better than me, if he is aware of the origin of the ektara. If he isn't, perhaps you should let him know? On the other hand, you don't know the origin of his ektara, how he came to have it. Perhaps you should ask him. You don't know why he carried an ektara, I don't either, because I never asked him.

Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur (who was rarely addressed by his initials) said that one should preach according to time place and circumstance. You know as well as (probably better than) I do, that Bhaktisiddhanta made many decision in the aims of preaching that compromised more traditional standards. I remember hearing a story of Bhaktivinoda Thakur in which a British politician of some kind was visiting a temple, and Bhaktivinoda Thankur had it arranged to bring meat to him, because that's what he asked for. Why? Because he had the opportunity to talk to him about Krishna consciousness.

So if Mahavishnu Swami was playing an ektara, he had good reason. If you don't understand this, which is reasonable, contact him and ask him, don't just post snide remarks on a message board.

One devotee is playing an instrument associated with mayavadis, another is criticising behind his back without even asking the other about it.

Jazz music and American football is cool ;-) but we can not look like Bauls -- I am quite sure about it -- we should not present ourselves as hippies or gypsies too. I think I will put up a proposal to Gbc on the external appearance of a sannyasi in public. Nobody is against a particular kind of culture or cultural expression, it is just that in public we need to represent Prabhupada (if he plays duatara or J. S. Bach or jazz in private I have no objection). You just like the guy because you travel with him Nrsinha-dave.

And I REALLY don't think anyone thinks we are bauls.

It is not polite (even if you are polite) to suggest to a senior how to behave himself/herself. It is also more effective and is better to address relevant authority who is senior to a particular devotee. MVS has many senior godbrothers and Sannyasa Ministry who can deal with it if they feel right.

Really There nothing cool about it,at least for the common person it is symtomatic of lack of taste for Nam-sankirtan et bhajan. MVS the 'guy' u refer to is KC in that respect with,despite perceived faults,pretty good effulgent taste in Holy Name and tight morning program etc so has no need for those asangic leasurely very mundane distractions. It seems SDG is bad example and bad influence in that way as in his position as Guru and sanyassa. Is it?
A wise man of descerning taste does not delight in the sources of misery. He is full in his self atmaram. He has no need or attraction. That is the ideal. That is sannyasa. I would be concerned.
Ysvt.