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CONTENTS

The Nama Hatta Emblem

  1. The Circle
  2. The Lines
  3. The Weapons
  4. The Lotus
  5. Sankirtan
  6. Nitya Seva
  7. Guru Parampara
  8. Aisvarya
  9. Audarya
  10. Madurya
  11. The Star
  12. The Mahamantra

THE NAMA HATTA EMBLEM

The above emblem is the Hare Krishna Nama Hatta emblem. The emblem is a circle divided by twelve lines. In the space of the emblem there are various figures and words which are filled with the philosophical and ethical teachings of the Hare Krishna Nama Hatta movement. Every member should know the meaning of this Hare Krishna Nama Hatta emblem. According to the rules, awards will be given for those members who can perfectly describe the meaning of the emblem. The emblem signifies :-

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A. THE CIRCLE

The circle signifies the Absolute Truth, the Supreme personality of Godhead, in whom everything is contained, and who is inconceivably simultaneously different and non-different from His energies, ( acintyabedabeda tattwa ).

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B. THE LINES

The emblem is divided by twelve lines: each line is a month in the year, instructing us that twelve months a year at every moment we should follow the principles of the Hare Krishna Nama Hatta movement. These 12 Deities protect us throughout the year: Kesava, Narayana, Madhava, Govinda, Visnu, Madhusudana, Trivkrama, Vamana, Sridhara, Hrshikesha, Padmanabha and Damodar

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C. THE WEAPONS

The area signified by lotus, gada or club, sankha or conch, Sudarshan cakra or disc, are the four weapons of the Lord in his Narasimha form. Lord Krishna is the destroyer of all obstacles on the path of spiritual advancement and pure devotional service. In these four corners the words tapasya ( austerity ) satyam (truthfulness) saucyam (cleanliness) and daya ( mercy ) can be found. Dharma is upheld by these four pillars, austerity, truthfulness, cleanliness and mercy. These pillars are destroyed by four sinful activities, namely meat-eating, intoxication, gambling and sex life against religious principles. In the interest of preserving Dharma, all members should strive for simplicity, cleanliness, compassion and truthfulness. They should likewise avoid meat eating. intoxication, and illicit sex-life (sex life against Vedic principles)

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D. THE LOTUS

The Section denoted by the eight-petalled lotus with the word 'bhakti" and Vedic literatures placed over the word ''Vedanta", have the following meaning:

(1) Bhakti: This is symbolized by an eight petalled lotus around a central whorl. There are Nine kinds of devotional service (bhakti): Sravana (hearing), kirtana (chanting), smarana (remembering) , pada sevanam (serving the lotus feet) arcanam (worshipping):, vandanam (offering prayers), dasyam (servitude), sakhyam (friendship), and atma-nivedanam (self-surrender).. If even one of the nine processes of bhakti can be perfectly performed, one is guaranteed full perfection in life, what to speak if one can perform more than one or even all nine. The first eight processes are represented by the eight petals of the lotus. and atma-nivedana (self-surrender) is the center whorl of the lotus.

(2) Vedanta :''dharmato saksat bhagavat pranitam'" Dharma is given personally by the Personality of Godhead only. The principles of Dharma cannot be man-made. We find these principles of Dharma must be in the revealed sastras. Vedanta means those revealed sastras in which the nature of this world and purpose of life are revealed. Unless one practices his life in accordance with the principles of revealed scripture he will simply cause a disturbance. Sruti smriti puranadi pancaratrasvidhim vina aikantikihiper bhaktir utpatayaiva kalpate. The Hare Krishna Nama Hatta will guide its activities always upon. the directions of the scriptures, the Vedic literatures.

(3) Bhakti-Vedanta: the two above sections, Bhakti and Vedanta, have appeared. The name of the founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness ISKCON, by whose orders the Hare Krishna Nama Hatta movement has begun, is His Divine Grace A.C. Bhakti-Vedanta Swami Prabhupada. These words remind us of his causeless mercy.

(4) Bhakti-Vedanta; Bhakti-Vedanta, or devotion and knowledge based on revealed scripture, must always be simultaneously held. Devotion without reference to revealed scriptures becomes fanaticism, or mere sentiment. On the other hand, knowledge without devotion ( bhakti) to the Supreme Personality of Godhead is simply dry speculative knowledge, devoid of realization and the real nectar of life, and cannot satisfy the self.

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E. SANKIRTAN

In sankirtan we see people from all over world are chanting together harenama sankirtan irrespective of any cast, colour, creed, nation or religion. They are practically showing the path of true unification and of perfect peace in the world by engaging in this sankirtan movement, when we see sankirtan we should remember :

(1) Harer nama harer nama harer namaivakebalam kalau nastyeva nastyeva nastyeva gatieranyatha. We are now in the kali yuga, and just as in every yuga ( satya, treta, dvapara and kali ) there is a yuga dharma or sacrifice for the age. In the age of kali the only recommended sacrifice for the human being to achieve happiness in this life and perfection in his spiritual life is by engaging in this sankirtan movement. This confirmed by all revealed scriptures and all authorities.

(2) Kirtaniya sada hari Lord Caitanya advises that we should chant the Holy Name of the Lord constantly.

(3) No hard and fast rules: Lord Caitanya instructed that there are no hard and fast rules for chanting the Holy Name and anyone may chant in any time, place or circumstance. If anyone is chanting the Holy Names of the Lord, he is considered to have already performed pious activities in this ard previous lives, and therefore he is not considered by his material appearance, birth, or social standing etc. He does not belong to any specific material designation, but he is always to be considered as transcendental to all caste consciousness.

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F. NITYA SEVA

See Seva (four handed form of Visnu): in the diseased condition of material life everyone thinks that he is the master, though in fact he is forced to serve. Actually our eternal nature is to always be a servant: jivera svarupa pa haya krsnera nitya dasa. This service is manifested as service to friends, family and community, state, nation and humanity, but finds its perfection and final resting place in service to the Supreme Lord All service should be performed selflessly and for the purpose of satisfying the Supreme. The Supreme Lord (Krsna) in his Visnu form is maintaining this material world. Man is meant to serve him by performing his occupational duties and spiritual practices for his satisfaction alone. From different parts of Vishnu's bodies, living entitled with different qualities and nature of work have been created. The Lord should be served with the following occupations :

(1) Sri Mukha : From Lord Visnu's lotus head came the Brahmanas. The brahmanas are those possessing the qualities of the Brahmana, such as peacefulness (sama) ,self-control (dama), austerity (tapas), purity (saucam) , tolerance ( keenti ), honesty (arjanan), wisdom ( jnana), knowledge ( vijnana ), and religiosity ( astikam ). The brahmana or intellectuals are required in the society to guide the people along the path of righteousness. The sannyasa asrama is also created from the head of Visnu to guide the society to spiritual perfection.

(2) Sri Bahu : from the lotus arms of Sri Visnu, administrators ( kshatriyas) have been created. A kshatriya serves the Lord by engaging his qualities in the service of the Lord.

Sauryam taje dhritir dakajan juddho asya apalyanan danam isvara bhavadca ksatram karma svabhava jam

Heroism, power, determination, resourcefulness, courage in battle. generosity and leadership are the qualities of work for the Ksatriyas. Leaders should imbibe these qualities and use them so that the Lord will be pleased with their service The vanaprastha asrama is also created from the arms of Sri Visnu to teach renunciation in society

(3) Sri Udhara : from the lotus abdomen of Visnu the productive men; vaisya have been created, and they shall work with the following qualities.

Krsi goraksya: vanijyam vaisya karma svabhava jam.

Farming, cow protection and business are the qualities of work for the vaisyas. Lord Krishna himself: is eternally enjoying pastimes as a cowherd boy in Vrndavana. These qualities are essential for the maintenance of human society and all activities are meant for the satisfaction of the Lord. The Grhasta asrama has been created from the Lotus waist of Visnu, and is meant to provide regulated family life based on religious principles and productive maintenance for the other asramas.

(4) Sripada: from the Lotus feet of Sri Visnu the serving men have been created. Those who are performing some service in society in lieu of cash or kind are meant to satisfy the Lord with their service. Brahmacaris are also created from the Lotus feet of the Lord and are meant to begin their spiritual life from very childhood on a strong foundation.

(5) The above mentioned system has nothing to do with the distorted caste system based on birth right only, which is against the teaching of the Vedas and caused the ruination of Indian culture. Hare Krishna Name Hatta's purpose is to teach every one that one should satisfy the Supreme Lord through performing his occupational duties, and one who is actually situated rightly in pure seva is transcendental to all designations. By participating in the Hare Krishna Nama Hatta movement one will automatically be elevated to the highest position, perfection of human life.

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G. GURU PARAMPARA

See Guru (guru parampara) coming down from Caitanya Mahaprabhu through disciplic succession. The spiritual science is handed down from spiritual master to disciple. Unless one receives instruction and initiation from a bonafide disciplic succession one cannot unfold the mysteries, of life.

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H. AISVARYA

See Jagannatha, Subhadra, Balarama (Aisvarya). The Supreme Personality of Godhead, (Lord Sri Krsna) and his celebrated sister Subhadra Devi (Yogamaya Sakti), along with his elder brother, the Supreme personality of Godhead Balarama (svayam prakasa), are the three forms of the personality of Godhead who are worshipped in the mood of opulence or aisvarya. When one worships the Lord in opulence he will have a feeling of reverence and awe in service to the lotus feet of the Lord. The Hare Krsna Nama Hatta movement always aspires for Their Lordships Sri Sri Jagannatha, Subhadra and Balaram's causeless mercy.

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I. AUDARYA

See Sri Sri Nityananda Gauranga Mahaprabhu (audarya Vigraha). The same Krsna Balarama have descended in this Kali yoga as Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda. But their mood is of Devotee and "Expansion of Devotee". They are called audarya murti because they are distributing freely, without considering any one as worthy or unworthy, the highest perfection of life, i.e. pure love of God. They are placed in the top most position because presently we are in the Kali Yuga and only by their mercy is it possible in this fallen age to attain perfection in life. They have revealed the confidential worship of Sri Radha Madhava. The Hare Krishna Nama Hatta movement always aspires for Their Lords Nitai Gauranga's causeless mercy.

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J. MADURYA

See Sri Sri Radha Madhava (madhura vigraha ). Sri Sri Radha Madhava are the summon bonum of transcendental realization and they are worshipped only in pure devotion. Because the nature of the transcendental relationship is exceedingly nectarean, it is called madhurya. Realizing our relationship with Their Lordships in Goloka Vrindavana is the Culmination of all Transcendental realization. The Hare Krishna Nama Hatta movement always aspires for their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madhava's causeless mercy.

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K. THE STAR (See Central star of six points)

The Six principles of surrender :-

(1) anukulyasya sankalpah: enthusiastically perform all activities favorable for spiritual advancement

(2) pratikulyasya varjanam: avoids all activities which are unfavorable for ones spiritual advancement.

(3) raksisyatiti visvaso: have strong faith in all circumstances, knowing that he is under the protection of Krsna at all times.

(4) bhartrtve varanan: to accept Krsna as ones only master

(5) atma niksepa : to sacrifice everything for the Lord.

(6) Karpanya: act in a humble surrendered spirit.

Every member of the Hare Krishna Nama Hatta movement should try to absorb these six codes of surrender for higher advancement towards the goal of life.

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L. THE MAHAMANTRA :

Center area: The Hare Krishna Mahamantra: Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, circling around the figure of the Lord. The Mahamantra for this Kali yuga is this 32 syllable 16 word mantra. The Holy Name of the Lord is possessing unlimited potencies of the Lord himself and is non-different from the Lord.

namah cintamani krsnas caitanya rasa vigraha purnah suddah nitya mukto 'bhinnatvan nama naminoh

By chanting the Name of the Lord one achieves the benefits of all kinds of sacrifices and religious performances which were available in previous ages by performing the sacrifices of those ages. Since the Lord and his name are non·different, by chanting the Lord's Holy Name one will realize the transcendental form of the Lord. His transcendental Qualities, and His transcendental pastimes and transcendental associations in due course, by the mercy of the Lord and His devotees. The Holy Name should be chanted quietly to oneself in japa. spoken out loud so others can hear, and loudly sung in sankirtan with many devotees, at all times.

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Last modified: April 3, 1997