Welcome to Dravida dasa's Padma Productions!  The goal of this project is to make available a variety of selections from Vaishnava scripture on tape cassettes as well as to acquaint the listener with the exquisite Sanskrit poetry of Srimad Bhagavatam and other Vedic literature.  Most of the tapes consist of Sanskrit verses chanted to tamboura accompaniment, with English translation and original versification.  All tapes feature Dravida dasa, 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.

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NEW!  The Complete Works of Dravida Dasa on MP3
All of the nectar described below (not including Bhagavad Gita audiobook) in MP3 format
 $45.00

1. Sri Brahma-samhita and Sri Krsna-karnamrta   Click here to 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. cassette: $5.00

2. The Gopis Enchanted by Krsna's Flute  Click here to 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. cassette: $5.00

3. Srila Prabhupada's Favorite Bhagavatam Verses   Click here to 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. cassette: $7.00

4. Summary of Lord Krsna's Vrndavana Pastimes    Click here to 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. cassettes: $10.00

5. Summary of Lord Caitanya's Pastimes    Click here to 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 cassette: $7.00

6. The Prayers of King Kulasekhara    Click here to 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. cassette: $5.00

7. Sri Caitanya-candramrta     Click here to 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. cassettes: $14.00

8. The Narayana-kavaca Shield     Click here to 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 cassette: $5.00

9. The Nrsimha-kavaca Shield     Click here to 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. cassette: $6.00

10. Lord Krsna's Complete Vrndavana-lila    Click here to 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. cassettes bound in a sturdy vinyl album: $25.00

11. Lord Krsna's Complete Dvaraka-lila    Click here to 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. cassettes bound in a sturdy vinyl album: $30.00

12. Siksastaka, Upadesamrta, and Isopanisad    Click here to 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 cassette: $5.00

13.A Rupa Gosvami Sampler     Click here to 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 cassette: $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. cassette: $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 cassettes bound in a sturdy vinly album: $18.00
NEW! 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 cassettes bound in two sturdy vinyl albums: $35.00
NEW! MP3 edition $35.00  

17. Readings from Srimad-Bhagavatam    Click here to 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 cassettes bound in a sturdy vinyl album: $12.00

18. Nectar Poems I     Click here to 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. cassette: $6.00

19. Nectar Poems II
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
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.

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.

And so did Krsna start His blissful day
    With cowherd friends who sang His glories sweet,
And as He walked He beautified the way
    With fine impressions of His lotus feet.
 
 

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.