Hari Nāma Saṅkīrtana—the congregational chanting of Kṛṣṇa’s holy names—is our main spiritual practice, the main thing we do. It is our life and soul. But how should we do it? Śrīla Prabhupāda often said, “Do as I do.” But what did he do? What standards did he set? What instructions did he give us?
Over time, we can forget. New things find their way in, old teachings get lost.
This book, therefore, puts on record a wealth of teachings Śrīla Prabhupāda gave about kīrtana and how best to do it.
Drawing on Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books, letters, and archived conversations—and on personal testimony from direct diciples— it gives us a chance to see up close what Śrīla Prabhupāda did and hear from him what he wanted us to do.
It serves as a handbook, a guide, and gives us insight as well into the “soul” of kīrtana, its essence. It tells us rules, yet it also points to how Śrīla Prabhupāda encouraged individual expression.
For anyone who cares about Śrīla Prabhupāda’s standards for kīrtana, this is an essential book.
From the Foreword by Mādhava Dāsa.
The standards here are not an imposition. They’re meant for devotees to awaken and deepen genuine love for Krishna, love that is His own property. Time fades even Krishna’s words, as He affirms in the Bhagavad-gita. It’s too easy for us to slip and use devotional practices to serve personal ambitions. But this book can serve as a beacon to inform and steer true practitioners.
Endorsements
It was a genuine joy and an uplifting – at times educative – experience to read your book, Srila Prabhupada’s Kirtana Standards. It is a book that will be widely accepted by the followers of Srila Prabhupada. And it is necessary! You have written a wonderful book; I want to use it extensively.
Sacinandana Swami
The book is life changing. The way Maharaja writes is so astute, clear and subtle. There are standards and Maharaja builds strong cases for all of them by giving context and Srila Prabhupada’s statements but he doesn’t hit you over the head with. He doesn’t say ‘you’re bad, your wrong.’ Maharaja presents the evidence of Srila Prabhupada’s mood for kirtana, and is one of the most important books in ISKCON because we do so much kirtana. Reading the book has a self-correcting effect and makes me want to remember that for my devotional service I want to be in tune with the acharya.
Vaisesika Dāsa
It will be good that this book exists, to remind us to not slide off the edge of the kirtan planet as established by Srila Prabhupada. And it will be interesting to see how the kirtan culture moves and morphs in coming years.
Krishna Kshetra Swami
Thanks for protecting the treasure we have inherited. Let’s hope the future generations maintain the integrity.
Havi Dāsa ACBSP
It’s beautifully written and I’m sure the devotees will find this very helpful.
Kausalya Devī Dāsī ACBSP
This book is pure ecstasy.
Tejiyas Dāsa ACBSP
I am grateful that you’ve published this little handbook for devotees now and in the future. Wonderful seva, excellently done.
Pranada Comtois
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read your work on kirtana standards. I found it to be very well written, constructive, and insightful, following exactly in the line of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Visnu-gada Dāsa ACBSP
My wish (and frequent prayer) is that this book may reach and be accepted by the widest possible audience, and that devotees henceforward and forever more will keep the information close to their hearts and pass it along to others in the course of spreading the sankirtan movement.
Akincana Krsna Dāsa
About the Author
Jayadvaita Swami
Jayadvaita Swami is a disciple of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. He served as an editor for nearly all the books of Srila Prabhupada published during Srila Prabhupada’s lifetime, and later served as a director of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.
Maharaja’s first book, Vanity Karma: Ecclesiastes, the Bhagavad-gita, and the meaning of life, won the Benjamin Franklin gold award from the Independent Book Publishers Association.
Maharaja is currently working on The Vanaprastha Adventure.
