Mayesvara Dasa: I am currently working on a set of 12 very dynamic flags which I have copyrighted and intend to manufacture and market via Jagannatha Enterprises in the near future. They will be very similar to the Tibetan “Prayer Flags” which are very popular with the new age movement and pseudo-spiritualists. However my flags will be much more dynamic, colorful and enduring. They will be printed on vinyl and will take full advantage of the full color printing technology which is now available for this type of project.
On the front side will be a very detailed and bold illustration of Krishna Conscience deities and/or Icons. Each flag will be an exciting artistic rendering that stands on its own, or can be hung alongside any of the other flags in the set. What will make these flags really exciting is that on the back I intend to put a short description that helps explain what the illustration is on the front side. This provides for an excellent opportunity to reach an audience that may be inclined to take to Krishna Consciousness.
I am hoping to market this product not only thru usual devotee channels, but to make the flags available in stores that supply the New Age movement, head shops, and upscale gift stores. This is why the content on the back of the flag must be carefully thought out. The intent is to make it not only informative and interesting, but more importantly provocative enough to get the reader to realize there is much more to spiritual life then just feel good new age rhetoric.
Included with this request for Scholarly Input is the artwork for the ChakraTilok flag. I have most of the content worked out and have been asking devotees in my local community to comment and make suggestions on how to improve the text I currently have. This led to a deeper curiously about the origin of and meaning of the traditional Vaishnava Tilok.
It was brought to my attention that one explanation for the design is that the Gaudia Vaishnava Tilok is shaped to represent Radha/Krishna as each of the vertical lines with a tulisi leaf joining them together at the bottom. However I do not have any scriptural reference to support this claim. If anyone can confirm this with a scriptural reference then that would be ideal. However I am also this claim. Do you know if this is true and if so where I can find that reference from?
Actually I am open to any suggestions vaishnavas might have in regards to how to best annotate this particular flag. So if any particular story or reference comes to mind and you want to share it with me I will consider using it on the copy on the back of the finished product. IN appreciation for those who make the effort to do so I will be happy to gift one of the finished flags to anyone who offers me unique material that I end up using in the final manufacturing of the product.
Please contact me at the various contact points provided below.
Hoping this meets you in good health and enthusiastic service to the Supreme
Personality of Godhead!
Thank you! Yours in the service of Lord Jagannatha!
mayesvara dasa ACBSP AKA: William G. Roberts MBA/MIS, CCP
md @ jagannatha.com (805) 640-0405 – Evenings & Weekends
william.roberts @ jagannatha.com (805) 205 – 4086 Cell Phone
william.roberts @ navy.mil (805) 228-0736 – Weekdays Office At
Navy Base
Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism is exclusively characterized by Nityānanda and Gaurāṅga gorgeously dancing in prema, and the Hare Kṛṣṇa Mahāmantra. Therefore these three must be there on the flag, else it is simply not Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism. Even if these are the only ones, no problem – they are self-sufficient. There is no better annotation than the Hare Kṛṣṇa Mahāmantra in full. Even a glance upon it, or just one read will purge the reader of inestimable sinful reactions and evoke his dormant bhakti. In fact, the flag itself can be colored left half white and right half golden to represent Nityānanda and Gaurāṅga. White represents ‘peace’, and Golden represents ‘purity and love’. Together they will represent happiness, prosperity, glory, success, splendor, etc.
You may also use the Gauḍīya Tilaka, if required somewhere, which is simply the “U with a Tulasī leaf”; the tilaka must be colored blackish to resemble the Rādhā-kuṇḍa mud, which is the actual mud for the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tilaka.
Laymen cannot relate to Jagannātha or the Jagannātha Cakra, let alone relate to Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. They could even be turned away thinking that this is some Hindu sectarian thing. Please keep Rādhārāṇī far away from a public flag display – She is not a cheap heroine to be ogled at by perverts. She would already be discreetly present in the mahāmantra and Gaurāṅga’s golden complexion.
Just in case you have written the above article, there are many typos. Please ensure that there are absolutely no typos of any kind on the flag. If you write something on the flag using the Bangla version of English, then śrama eva hi kevalam. Just kidding!! Hari Haribol!!