Pilgrim Heart - Krishna Das CD

The music of Krishna Das is the culmination of over twenty-five years of living and traveling in India.

With Pilgrim Heart, the artist presents music that remains true to the dignified traditions of Bhatki Yoga, yet at the same time incorporates contemporary Western grooves to provide a form of Indian chant that is universally accessible.

Sting is featured on two of the twelve tracks, including the truly one-of-a-kind, American 50's-pop influenced "Ring Song." With drums, sitar, guitars, vocals and synthesizer, this music evokes the diverse spiritual life of the people, land and culture of India. All of the songs have elaborate arrangements, which present an extraordinary blend of Eastern and Western elements.

Dimensions: 5" x 5.625"
Details: CD, 1 hour 22 mins
Author: Krishna Das

Listen to Samples

1. Namah Shivaya 7:17
2. Govinda Hare 5:17
3. Mountain Hare Krishna 8:06
4. Mahamantra Meltdown 16:06
5. Hara Hara Mahadev 4:52
6. Kalabinashini Kali 4:42
7. The Goddess Suite: Mother Song 2:47
8. The Goddess Suite: Devi Puja 6:21
9. The Goddess Suite: Jaya Jagatambe 6:15
10. The Goddess Suite: Yah Devi (This Goddess) 2:42
11. The Goddess Suite: Devi "Rave" 4:29
12. The Ring Song 4:27

About Krishna Das

Sharing his heart through music and chanting is the basis of Krishna Das' own spiritual work;his way of serving the Divine within himself and others.

In the winter of 1968, Krishna Das met Ram Dass, who had just returned from his first trip to India. After living and traveling with Ram Dass in the U.S., and hearing Ram Dass' many stories about Maharaj-ji, Krishna Das traveled to India, where he was blessed to meet and stay with this extraordinary guru.

While living in India for almost three years, Krishna Das' heart was especially drawn to the practice of Bhakti Yoga—the yoga of devotion. Fanning the flames of his inner longing, Maharaj-ji led him deeper and deeper into the practice of kirtan—chanting the Names of God. As an appointed pujari (priest) for the Durga temple in Maharaj-ji's ashram in the foothills of the Himalayas, Krishna Das immersed himself in the worship of the Divine Goddess.

Krishna Das spent as much time as possible with Maharaj-ji over the years in India, opening himself to the flow of Grace and purifying his heart. Early in 1973, he was asked by Maharaj-ji to return to America.

Krishna Das says,

'At what would turn out to be my last darshan of Maharaj-ji's physical body, I was petrified with fear about returning to the U.S. after so many years. I hadn't worn a pair of jeans or shoes for such a long time that I couldn't imagine what it would be like. I didn't want to ask Maharaj-ji what I should do in America, but all of a sudden I blurted out in anguish, 'Maharaj-ji! How can I serve you in America?'

'He looked at me with mock disgust and said, 'What is this? If you ask how you should serve then it is no longer service. Do what you want.' I couldn't believe my ears. How could doing what I wanted to do be of service to him? I didn't have that kind of faith. I just sat there, stunned. Then after a minute or so he looked over at me, smiling sweetly, and asked, 'So, how will you serve me?'

'My mind was blank. It was time for me to leave for Delhi, to catch the plane back to the States. He was looking at me and laughing. I bent down and touched his feet for the last time and when I looked up he, he was beaming at me, 'So, how will you serve me in America?' I felt like I was moving in a dream. I floated across the courtyard and bowed