Krishna Das: Om Namah Shivay


Many moons ago, as he was leaving his teacher in the Himalayas, his teacher asked him, "What will you do in America?" Without much thought, he said: "I'll sing to you." That's what he did. Barely knowing a few Sanskrit verses, he started singing -- and thousands lined up.

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As a student in the late 1960s, Krishna Das wandered in search of higher truths. In August 1970, he met Neem Karoli Baba in the foothills of the Himalayas and his search ended ... but his spiritual journey began. After two and a half years, as he was departing for the US, his teacher asked him: "What will you do in America?" Without much thought, he spontaneously responded, "I will sing to you."

And that's what he did. Krishna Das knows just a few Sanskrit verses, but with full heart, he has been singing those kirtans as his daily practice. These days, thousands line up to hear it live; the songs have also spread through millions of albums and most recently was invited to sing at the Grammy's. He always wears a simple red t-shirt, the color of Hanuman.

When asked, "Why do you chant?" he says: "To save my heart. Every day. This is what I do to keep my head screwed on semi-straight and keep my heart open. Whenever I sing, that’s why I sing. Whether it’s at the Grammys, whether it’s in the bathroom, whether it’s in front of 10,000 people or three people, by my guru’s grace, my head stays in that place."



Om Namah Shivaaya
Shivaaya namaha,
Shivaaya namah om
Shivaaya namaha, namaha Shivaaya
Shambhu Shankara namah Shivaaya,
Girijaa Shankara namah Shivaaya
Arunaachala Shiva namah Shivaaya


I bow to the Soul of all. I bow to my Self. I don't know who I am, so I bow to you, Shiva, my own true Self. I bow to my teachers who loved me with Love. Who took care of me when I couldn't take care of myself. I owe everything to them. How can I repay them? They have everything in the world. Only my love is mine to give, but in giving I find that it is their love flowing through me back to the world...I have nothing. I have everything. I want nothing. Only let it flow to you, my love... sing!


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