For the past several days, someone has been sending me an email message that contains the word "Gouranga."
This was my message from Neateye today:
Subject: Gouranga> Call out Gouranga be happy!!!
> Gouranga Gouranga Gouranga ....
That which brings the highest happiness!!
How sweet. Maybe. Being the curious type, I Googled the word.
Krishna followers are quoted in the press saying that "Gouranga" means "be happy" but that doesn't make sense to me. ["Call out Gouranga and be happy!"] really translate[s] to: "Call out 'be happy' and be happy"? At least McFerrin sagely says "don't worry" before pronouncing happiness....
...I found that Gouranga is capitalized for a reason. It's not just a virtue like happiness, but a divine name: "Gouranga is Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu." Apparently, he's the "personification of blissful pastimes. He possesses a beautiful, transcendental complexion as effulgent as molten gold. He is the distributer of the superlative mellows of Divine love."
Okay, my curiosity about Gouranga is satisfied. Thank you, Richard Yew, the source of my enlightenment about Gouranga. What an interesting young man, Richard Yew, and he can type write and cook. His resume says he wants to open a restaurant someday. Good luck, Richard, but in the meanwhile, would you mind writing some more. That was delicious. I spent the evening reading your archives, and all I can say is I'm hungry for more.
Meanwhile, Mr. Neateye, thank you for your well wishes. I never turn down someone's wishes for me to have a nice day, to be happy, to have a better life, to have more luck, or whatever. I'm not sure why you have chosen me to the recipient of your well wishes, and being a cynical person, I suspect you're just trying to sell me something, and since I dislike slyness more than I dislike mysteries, (oh, and I detest mysteries), I'm adding you to my blocked list. I'll take your good wishes, but I know you're up to something.
Yer probably right about Neateye, but it's a great sentiment, especially after yesterday's posts, so, Gouranga, Houston!
Posted by: Mark | January 21, 2005 at 08:30 AM
I just love this. "Neateye" is an English approximation of Nitai, a nickname of Lord Nityananda, the first expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead (Gauranga). Nityananda is another name of the Lord, and means "eternal bliss." Nitai is His nickname. It's the sincere belief of the Hare Krishnas (backed by a library of scriptures) that calling on the names of the Lord is the genuine method for awakening our love of God. The Lord's names are all so powerful that even accidently contacting them or making fun of them automatically purifies our desires and eventually makes eligable to see the Lord face to face. I personally joined the Hare Krishna movement after that promise proved true for me.
Just as everyone feels some hapiness when hearing their own name, God also feels that pleasure, except that His names are the very reservoir of all hapiness. Our motives are to cause the Lord's names to vibrate in everyone's hearts, and thereby plant the seed of love of God indiscriminantly.
Posted by: Pandu das | February 15, 2005 at 08:26 AM
Thank you so very much, Pandu das, for that wonderful explanation of what was being given to me. I was being blessed by someone, even anonymously. Let my voice join the choir in calling out, Gouranga! Be happy!
Posted by: Houston | February 15, 2005 at 08:43 AM
Heh, I found your post by googling the person who sent me the same e-mail. Any leads on what's up with this "neateye"? very odd indeed!
Posted by: leafofgrass | September 05, 2005 at 06:54 PM
I got a similar email that used the word "Sploodal." Google only links to t-shirts.
Posted by: Russell Wall | May 30, 2006 at 12:40 AM