Rasa Lila New CD by Subway Bhaktis Rasa Lila is the Subway Bhaktis follow up to their first award-winning album Sita Ram. Engineered, produced and mastered by 2011 Grammy Award nominee Kamal Engels, Rasa Lila features 13 beautiful and original tunes set to traditional chants, with great musicianship and a world music influence. Rasa Lila is the Dance of the Beloved, but it is not just the dance of Krishna and Radha, but the dance of all great lovers and this CD celebrates the eternal dance and the many aspects of the Divine that each of us embody on the journey. We are all Krishna, Radha, Sita, Ram, Lakshmi, Durga, Hanuman, Ganesh and Shiva. Subway Bhaktis are Rachel Zinman and Nyck Jeanes with producer and musician Kamal Engels (nominated for the 2011 GRAMMY AWARDS!) Rachel and Nyck are based in Byron Bay, Australia, where their albums were recorded, but these chants and songs were first conceived when they were living in New York City from 2000 – 2004. Rachel was teaching ISHTA yoga in NYC and as part of her studies discovered the joys of chanting. She would often practice mantras in the subways – commuting to and fro beneath the city making up melodies to help her remember them. At home with harmonium and guitar these chants became musical pieces. In 2003 their friend, music producer Kamal Engels, came and stayed in New York. They shared some music; some laughs, and acted as his tour guide. Over the next year they were writing tunes, singing chants, and riding a lot of trains. They began doing Kirtans and people wanted recordings. Then in September 2004 Rachel and Nyck moved back to Australia via Sri Lanka, where music seemed to flow freely. By early 2005 they were pretty determined to record these chants written on the subways and their Brooklyn apartment; in the coconut breezes of Sri Lanka and Belize; and in the wide green backyards of Byron Bay. Kamal was more than ready to help the manifestation and so the Subway Bhaktis were born. Sita Ram was finished in 2006, One Drop of Love in 2009, and Rasa Lila in 2010. ......................................... LYRICS & MEANINGS 1. Lakshmi Gayatri Om Mahalakshmyai cha vidmahe Vishnu patnyai cha dhimahi Tanno Lakshmi prachodayat Om, Let me meditate on the greatest goddess, Who is the wife of Lord Vishnu, Give me higher intellect, And let Goddess Lakshmi illuminate my mind. Om sri maha Lakshmiaye namaha I bow to the great mother lakshmi In both these mantras, lakshmi grants the boons of abundance, grace, beauty and wisdom, Lakshmi is the energy that brings a seed to fruition and Lakshmi will only go where there is beauty and peace. 2. Sky Mantra Om Lingastakam Needum Punyam YahPatay Shiva Sani Dhow Shivaloka Mavapnotee Shivena Sahamo Gatay Open up to the sky and its vastness, feel the power of the element of air within you, the mystery of shiva and his ever present knowledge. Chanting the sky mantra promotes peace and healing 3. Loka Samasta Loka Samasta Sukinoh Bavantu May all beings be happy 4. Gopala Gopala Gopala, Gopala, Devakinandana Gopala Devakinandana Gopala Devakinandana Gopala Jay Radhe Radhe Radhe Krishna Hare Jai Krishna Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare We celebrate Gopala, the cow herder, the aspect of Krishna that protects and serves and we honor the love filled Krishna who dances with his beloved Gopis, each one an aspect of our own desires and passions. 5. Satyam Gyanam Satyam, Gnanam, Anandam, Brahmam Truth, wisdom, bliss and the changeless ocean of ultimate reality May I be this, may I know myself as this 6. Hey Ma Durga Om Dum Dum Dum Durga-eh Namaha Om Dum Dum Dum Durga-eh Namaha Hey Ma Lakshmi Hey Saraswati Hey Mata Kali Jagadambe Jai Jai Ma Durga is the great protector and the fierce warrior. She has the strength to conquer our inner demons and removes any obstacles to knowing the SELF. She is celebrated as the great Mother in the form of Lakshmi, Saraswati and Kali. 7. Shiva Shambo Shiva Shiva Shiva Shambo Shiva Shiva Shiva Shambo Shiva Shiva Shiva Shambo Maha Deva Shambo Maha Deva Shambo Maha Deva Shambo We honor shiva, as the giver of plenty and the great light of knowledge Shiva Shankara Namah Shivaya Girja Shankara Namah Shivaya Arunachela Shiva Namah Shivaya Om Namah Shivaya I bow to Lord Shiva, bestower of good fortune, O Lord of Girija, Parvati’s Lord Shiva, O dweller on the peaks of Arunachal mountain! Bhakti Ganesha This chant has two parts- Aum Bhalachandraya Namaha- is in honor of the sacred nectar of wisdom which drips effortlessly from the third eye, the centre of inspiration, intuition and insight. When wisdom comes we feel ourselves as Shiva, who wears the crescent mooon on is forehead as a symbol of growth nectar and peace. The last part of the chant honors Ganesha as Ganapati- the leader of the Ganas- meaning hosts, multitude of troops or demi gods. Ganapati is said to appear to us in a multitude of forms. he is easily contacted and removes our obstacles when the time is right. Ganesha always hears our longings and grants our wishes 8. Show Me the Way I know nothing about love I haven’t learnt from you Your grace your infinite patience Leads me here to the mirror where I long to fall through I am nothing without you There is no turning of stars Your prayer, your ever awareness Is a stairway to the window where I sing to your heart Show me, Show me, Show me the way Show me, Show me, Show me the way Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu Guru Devo Maheshwara Guru Sakshat Param Brahma Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah When my hands are outstretched And my mind is outplayed You can show me, you can show me the way 9. Hanuman Stotra Manojavam Maaruta tuulya wegam Jitendriyam buddhimataam warishtam Vaataatmajam vaanara yuuta mukhyam Shree Raamaduutam sharanam prapadhye “I pray to Hanuman who is swift as thought, who is stronger than the wind, who has mastered his senses, who is absolute among all intelligent beings, the son of the wind-god, the commander of the army of forest creatures, Let me find shelter in the Messenger of Lord Rama, the unrivalled Lord Hanuman. Please hear my prayers at your humble feet” 10. Hare Krishna Krishna is ever playful and ever free 11. Om Namah Shivaya Reprise In gratitude to shiva and to all the great teachers in his lineage 12. Jai Jai Hanuman Jai Jai Hanuman, Bolo Sri Guru Hanuman, Bolo Sri Guru Hanuman Ji, Bolo Sri Guru Hanuman Oh sweet Hanuman, we honor all your brave deeds and the light you have brought and wish you well on your journey.