Devotional Practice

A VTE publication

Introduction
This section of the website is based on the handbook Devotional Practice, an excellent training
handbook produced by Manor Training and Education, Bhaktivedanta Manor, England.

This handbook was originally intended for use in group instruction for new people, but we hope
it will also be of use for our web audience.

Because of the different format, the web version has been edited a lot. If you would like a copy
of the original handbook it can be purchased for £6, plus postage. Contact us at
info@[Link] for further details.

Follow the menu down the right side of the page to find your way around the book.

When Srila Prabhupada started the ISKCON movement in 1966 he had, at that time, only
published the first three portions of his lifework, Srimad-Bhagavatam. As he travelled the
world, and as his movement grew, Srila Prabhupada presented many more standard Vaishnava
works: a wealth of philosophy, history and culture, with translations and detailed commentaries
in readable English, the books totalled over sixty volumes.

Although Srila Prabhupada had frequently suggested the systematic study of his books, the
very substantial quantity of scholarly information always presented newcomers with a dilemma:
what to study, and in what order, to gain a grasp of the entire Vaishnava theology, culture and
practice? For some time after his passing in 1977, education within ISKCON, both in the
residential communities and in the congregational groups, continued in a relatively ad hoc
fashion.

IIn 1995 a group of senior devotees from many parts of Europe met to discuss the
standardisation of teaching within ISKCON. They compiled a list of all the subjects explained
within Srila Prabhupada's books, placed the subjects in logical order, and set about devising
lesson plans and accompanying teachers' manuals. The result was The Vaishnava Training and
Education Syllabus, which was gradually implemented within many courses at the movement's
centres throughout Europe and Russia.

ISKCON's congregational groups, variously termed nama-hatta, sanga, bhakti-sanga or bhakti-

vriksha, depending on which country you live in, now well out-number its residential
communities. The movement is thus largely a network of such groups meeting weekly, bi-
weekly, or monthly. Such groups regularly chose to work their way through Bhagavad-gita, but
this sometimes proved a lengthy task, taking years to complete even with regular meetings.
Unfamiliar concepts and terminology sometimes made discussion inaccessible for newcomers to
the groups, while certain teachings of Vaishnava practice, history or culture, were left
unexplained for years.

This course is designed to cover all the basic themes and topics a devotee needs to know. The
volume of text has been kept deliberately short and simple, and much information is presented
as lists or bullet-points.
CONTENTS

Introduction
1: Devotional Service
2: Daily Schedule
Appearance
3: Four Principles
No Meat, Fish or Eggs
No Gambling
No Intoxicants
No Illicit Sex
Sense Gratification
Tips for the Struggle
4: Hearing and Chanting
Panca-Tattva mantra
Hare Krishna Maha-mantra
Glories of the Holy Name
Levels of Chanting
Ten Offenses
Japa Workshop
Kirtana and Bhajana
5: Deity Worship
Tulasi Worship
6: Holy Days and Festivals
Ekadasi
Serving and Honouring Prasadam
7: Preaching
Lord Caitanya
After Lord Caitanya
Srila Prabhupada
Family and Friends
8: Cleanliness and Etiquette
1: The Basic Principle of Devotional Service

The basic principle of devotional service is detachment from material activities and attachment
to the transcendental service of the Lord. (Bhagavad-gita 15.1 purport)
Devotional service means mukti, freedom from material entanglement. (Srimad-Bhagavatam
5.11.4 purport)

By absorbing our senses in activities centred around Krishna, we cultivate attachment to

Krishna, which will gradually develop into love, and all our attachment to material activities will
be forgotten.

Further reading: Srimad-Bhagavatam 9.4.18–20 or Bhagavad-gita 2.61 purport

Two main branches of devotional service

pancaratrika-vidhi: devotional service focused on or centred around Deity worship.

bhagavata-vidhi: centred around hearing and chanting the holy name and preaching.

Bhagavata-vidhi is more important:

» Both are important for cultivating Vaisnavism but comparatively speaking bhagavata-viddhi is
more important than pancaratriki-viddhi.
» By chanting the holy name of the Lord, one can reach the platform of love of Godhead.
» To chant the holy name of the Lord, one need not depend upon other paraphernalia, for one
can immediately get all the desired results of connecting or linking with the Supreme
Personality of Godhead.
» Chanting the holy names is sufficient for attaining perfection, pure love for God and returning
back to Godhead.
» Preaching makes one most dear to Krsna
» Preaching connects others to Krsna
» Without hearing, one will lose interest

But Pancaratrika-vidhi is still essential:

Srila Jiva Gosvami says that although sankirtana is sufficient for the perfection of life, the
arcana, or worship of the Deity in the temple, must continue in order that the devotees may
stay clean and pure.
(Srimad-Bhagavtam 6.3.25 purport)

» To help free us from previous bad habits, material contamination, restlessness, and sense
gratification.
» To become clean and pure in habits.
» For developing one's service attitude.
» Theoretical book knowledge is insufficient for realisation; Deity worship gives practical
engagement.
» To attract people to the temple; supports the preaching.
Purity makes the preaching more effective.
» Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu established sankirtana but He ordered the Goswamis to establish
temples.

Therefore both are required:

The Krishna conscious movement accepts both processes simultaneously and thus enables one
to make steady progress on the path of realization of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.13.3 purport)
Bhagavata-marga will help the pancaratrika-marga, or process, and the pancaratrika process
will help the Bhagavata process. Both together is helpful. (Srimad-Bhagavatam Lecture, 13
February 1971)

The Golden Rule of Bhakti

smartavyah satatam vishnur vismartavyo na jatucit

sarve vidhi-nisedhah syur etayor eva kinkarah

Vishnu should always be remembered and never forgotten at any time. All rules and
prohibitions mentioned in the sastras should be servants of these two principles.
(Padma Purana)

Life is full of ups and downs. An inexperienced devotee will especially remember Krishna when
he's down, but a more experienced devotee also remembers to be thankful to Krsna and to take
shelter of Him even when everything seems to be great.

Sadhana-bhakti

What is sadhana?

What does the word sadhana mean?

According to the Monier-Williams Sanskrit dictionary sadhana is:

The means to achieve an end; carrying out; bringing about; completion

In his books, Srila Prabhupada describes sadhana-bhakti (or the means to achieve pure
devotion) in the following ways:

» Devotional service performed according to the rules and regulations.

» Practice for the spiritual world.
» The beginning stages of devotional service leading up to bhava-bhakti and then prema-bhakti
» A means to awaken the dormant service instinct.

Two main categories or levels of sadhana-bhakti:

Vaidhi-bhakti: regulated service performed out of obedience to the instructions of the spiritual
master or the scriptures
Raganuga-bhakti: service performed out of spontaneous attraction.
One can compare it to an automobile that needs to be pushed to get it going. Once it starts
running, it moves under its own energy.

Therefore in the beginning, the newcomer in spiritual life must render devotional service under
the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master according to the regulative principles mentioned in
the revealed scriptures.
2: The Daily Schedule

General daily programme:

5:00 Rise
5:30 Chant
7:00 Have arati in the temple room.
Chant a round together and/or read together.
7:30 Breakfast
8:00 Get ready for work

Beginners daily programme:

Rise at least half an hour earlier than at present.

Bathe and get yourself ready.
Chant japa for 15–30 minutes.
Read Bhagavad-gita for 15 minutes
Take prasadam and prepare yourself for work.

Importance of regulation

In regulated life only can one understand transcendental knowledge. (Srimad-Bhagavatam

3.25.1purport)

He who is regulated in his habits of eating, sleeping, recreation and work can mitigate all
material pains by practicing the yoga system. (Bhagavad-gita 6.17)
2.1: The Appearance of a Vaisnava

Srila Prabhupada wanted devotees, particulalry those that live in temples, to adopt a certain
style of dress so that they would be recognisable as devotees of Krishna.

This appearance is both simple and aesthetically pleasing. It reminds the devotee of his position
as an eternal servant of Krsna and helps others recognise him as a spiritual person. The dress,
hairstyle, neckbeads, and tilaka are all signs of a Vaisnava and devotees like to identify
themselves as servants of Krsna.

Dress: Dhoti for men and saris for women.

Sikha: The sikha is a tuft of hair worn by the male devotees who otherwise have shaved heads.
For thousands of years, devotees of Krishna have worn their hair in this way as a sign of
surrender to the spiritual master, who is pleased to see his disciples entering into Krishna
conscious life. To the public, such signs as the sikha are constant reminders that the devotes of
God are present, and therefore the sikha indirectly reminds everyone of Krishna.
Beads: Each devotee carries a string of 108 japa beads, which are usually carried in a bean
bag worn around the neck, and he chants the Hare Krishna mantra on these beads. Devotees
also wear small beads made of Tulasi, a sacred plant, around their necks. These are called
kunti-mala and further identify one as a Vaisnava. When devotees wear the kunti-mala, they
declare that their body belongs to Krishna, will be used to serve Krisna, and in return will be
protected by Him.
Initiated devotees chant a minimum of 16 rounds daily on their Japa beads; taking care not to
commit any offences whilst chanting the Holy Name.
Tilaka: Tilaka is sometimes called the ornamentation of the spirit soul. When devotees place
the marks known as tilaka on their foreheads, they are displaying their intention to become
Krishna's servants; the upward lines of the tilaka markings represent the footprint of the Lord,
and the nose marking represents Tulasi, the sacred leaf always placed on the Lord's feet in the
temple. The decoration, made by applying wet clay mixture, further marks the body as a
temple of Vishnu, the Supreme Lord.
The Vaisnava devotee marks his body in twelve places for sanctification and protection, and one
who is wearing tilaka can at once be identified as a devotee of the Lord. Just as one can
recognise that the strength of the government is behind a uniformed policeman, one can
understand that the strength of God is behind a devotee marked with tilaka.

In the Padma Purana, Lord Siva says to Parvati that in the middle of the tilaka marking there is
a space and in that space reside Laksmi and Narayana. Therefore, the body that is decorated
with tilaka should be considered a temple of Lord Vishnu.

When making tilaka the following mantra from the Uttara Khanda of the Padma Purana should
be chanted:

lalate kesavam dhyayen

narayanam athodare
vaksah-sthale madhavam tu
govindam kantha-kupake
visnum ca daksine kuksau
bahau ca madhusudanam
trivikramam kandhare tu
vamanam vama-parsvake
stridharam vama-bahau tu
hrsikesam ca kandhare
prsthe tu padma-nabham ca
katyam damodaram nyaset
tat praksalana-toyam tu
vasudeveti mrdhani
In accordance with the above mentioned mantra one should apply tilaka with the ball of the
finger tip, to make the tilaka markings on the twelve parts of the body.

When tilaka is applied the following mantras should be chanted:

The forehead: om kesavaya namah

The belly: om narayanaya namah
The chest: om madhavaya namah
The throat: om govindaya namah
The right side: om visnave namah
The right arm: om madhusudanaya namah
The right shoulder: om trivikramaya namah
The left side: om vamanaya namah
The left arm: om sridharaya namah
The left shoulder: om hrsikesaya namah
The upper back: om padmanabhaya namah
The lower back: om damodaraya namah

Finally, after washing one's hand, whatever water is left should be wiped on the top of the head
the mantra: om vasudevaya namah.
3: The Four Regulative Principles

Initiated devotees vow to follow four regulative principles. These are:

No Eating of Meat, Fish, or Eggs

No Gambling
No Intoxication
No Illicit Sex
These regulative principles are based on the four pillars of religion: Truth (satyam or honesty),
Austerity (tapah or self-discipline), cleanliness (saucam or purity), and mercy (daya or
compassion).

Truthfulness (Satyam):Truthfulness is the basic principle for all religions.

Satyam, truthfulness, means that facts should be presented as they are, for the benefit of
others. Facts should not be misrepresented. (Bhagavad-gita10.4–5)

Satyam. This word means that one should not distort the truth for some personal interest.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 16.1–3 purport)

What are some do's and don'ts associated with truthfulness? Speaking a lie is one way of being
dishonest but how else can this principle be broken?

Further reading: Truthfulness, The Last Leg of Religion by Sarvarupa Dasa Goswami

Austerity (Tapas):"Without tapasya, or austerity, no human being can get liberation."

Mercy / Compassion (Daya): Material compassion, lamentation and tears are all signs of
ignorance of the real self. Compassion for the eternal soul is self-realization. (Bhagavad-gita
2.1 purport)

Srila Prabhupada defines daya as intolerance of others' unhappiness.

Why is being compassionate and merciful toward other living entities important in spiritual life?

Further reading: Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.43, or the story of Mrgari the hunter from Sri
Caitanya-caritamrta

Cleanliness: In regulated life only can one understand transcendental knowledge. (Srimad-
Bhagavatam 3.25.1 purport)

He who is regulated in his habits of eating, sleeping, recreation and work can mitigate all
material pains by practicing the yoga system. (Bhagavad-gita 6.17)

Importance of regulation and cleanliness

A devotee lives a very regulated life. At every time of the day he has something to do for
Krishna. On top of that, a devotee needs to know many other rules related to etiquette,
cleanliness, and regulation. So many rules and regulations may seem a bit overwhelming at
first, but don't worry — we are not the International Society for Rules and Regulations. As long
as you remember the basic principles, you'll pick them up and in time they'll become second
nature.

What are the advantages and benefits of having a regulated lifestyle?

» It helps cultivate the mode of goodness.
» It helps to cultivate self-discipline.
» It helps you conquer the mind, keep it peaceful and free of speculation.
» It ensures you don't waste your time and energy (efficiency).
» It keeps the senses engaged.
» It is good for health.
What does cleanliness mean in the Vedic context?
The Vedic injunctions have a very subtle approach to cleanliness and purity (saucam). For
example, they require one to wash his hand after drinking from a glass of water, to not offer
food to the Deities if it has been seen by a dog, and to not enter the temple after seeing a dead
body. Of course, being externally clean, tidy, and orderly is also included with the term saucam.

What are the advantages and benefits of maintaining cleanliness?

» It affects your consciousness; keeps the mind pure.
» It supports the process of Krishna consciousness by helping you to clean the heart.
» Being clean is one of the items that constitute a state of knowledge (Bhagavad-gita 13.8–12);
Srila Prabhupada says: “Cleanliness is essential for making spiritual advancement.”
» It is one of the qualities of “godly men endowed with the divine nature” (Bhagavad-gita 16.1–
3)
» “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
» It is one of the four pillars of religion.
» Helps us to remember and respect Krishna and thus please Him.
» One of two main qualities of a brahmana (the other is truthfulness).
» One of two main qualities for Deity worship (Gurv-astaka 3) (the other is punctuality).
» It helps cultivate the mode of goodness.
» Uncleanliness = laziness = mode of ignorance.
» It is good for health and hygiene.
» It prepares you to enter Vaikuntha
3.1: No Meat, Fish, or Eggs

The six main categories of disadvantages of meat-eating are:

Health
Ethics
Economics
Environment
Karma
Harm to spiritual life

Ultimately, devotees are only interested in what pleases Krishna (point 6). Krishna is not
pleased when we kill His creatures for our own gratification. But the other reasons are still of
interest and worth examining.

» Excess protein creates excess nitrogen in the system, which creates fatigue.
» Meat contains lots of uric acid, which leeches calcium from the system. People who eat meat
have the weakest bones.
» The body can deal with about 8g of uric acid in one day. An average piece of meat (3-4oz)
contains 16g. Uric acid in the bloodstream creates arthritis: it irritates the tendons and joints.
» Meat products carry disease and infections.
» 50% of people in the U.S. die of heart disease, 33% die of cancer. Meat is a primary cause of
heart disease and cancer.
» Excess cholesterol from meat accumulates inside arteries leading to high blood pressure,
heart disease and stroke.
» The livestock population of the US consumes enough grain and soybeans to feed the entire
human population 5 times over.
» By feeding the grains to livestock, we receive only 10% of the available kilojoules.
» For every 16kg of grain and soybeans, we get 1kg of flesh in return.
» Supplying a meat-eater for one year requires 3¼ acres; Supplying a lacto-ovo vegetarian for
one year requires ½ acre; Supplying a pure vegetarian for one year requires 1/6 acre.
» If Americans reduced meat consumption by just 10%, it would free 12 million tons of grain
annually for human consumption — an amount that would entirely feed the 60 million people
who will starve to death this year.
» The water required to raise a 1000 pound steer would float a destroyer.
» If the water required to produce beef were not subsidised, the cheapest hamburger meat
would cost $35 per pound (Vegetarian Times, 1985).
» Corn and wheat provide 22 times more protein than beef for the amount of fossil fuel
expended. Soybeans provide 40 times more.
» Well-known vegetararians: Leonardo daVinci, Sir Isaac Newton, Voltaire, Jean Jacques
Rousseau, Pythagoras, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Leo Tolstoy, George
Bernard Shaw, Socrates, Plato, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, Schweizer, Gandhi, Albert
Einstein.
3.2: No Gambling

Definitions of gambling:
verb. to play games of chance to win money or prizes;
to bet on the outcome of an event;
to act with the expectation of;
n. a risky act or venture.
Forms of gambling:
Card games like blackjack and poker.
Races (horses, dogs, etc.)
Dice games like roulette or crap.
Lotteries and raffles.
Bingo.
Sports wagers.
Poker machines.
Researchers estimate that US citizens spend $32 billion a year on gambling.

Previously wary governments and religious groups are now among the biggest profit makers,
promoters, and proprietors of legal gaming.

How gambling is spiritually damaging

A gambler thinks that by luck or chance combined with his manipulation of the material energy,
he can win more wealth and thus enjoy more sense gratification. He thinks he can get
something for nothing. He thinks, "I can beat the odds and win some new pleasure. I just have
to hit the right number, pull the right card, spin the right digit." In this way, he discounts the
natural laws of God.

The term "chance" in gambling is a denial of God's control and the law of karma. The gambler
thinks that there is a loophole somewhere in the system or no system at all. He believes
himself independent and thinks that there are no laws governing pleasure. He thinks he can
abrogate the will of the Supreme.

Consider this…
Within the category of gambling, Srila Prabhupada often included mental speculation, sports, or
entertainment like cinema or theatre. Why do you think he included all of these activities? (By
"mental speculation," Prabhupada meant concoctions that deviate from the conclusions of the
scriptures).

Negative or debilitating effects of gambling

» The gambling industry takes advantage of people's weaknesses. It preys on those who can
afford it the least - persons with low incomes.
» Well over a million compulsive gamblers live in America alone and the number is predicted to
shortly rise over three [Link] used to build treatment centers for heroin addicts. Now they
are building them for the compulsive gamblers.
» The increase in gambling represents a decline in moral values and the work ethic.
"Gambling's get-rich-quick appeal appears to mock capitalism's core values: Disciplined work
habits, thrift, prudence, adherence to routine and the relationship between effort and reward,"
concludes the Twentieth Century Fund, a New York research group, in a study of legalized
betting.
» Crime and cheating are often linked to gambling, especially in the form of bribery and game
fixing.
» Everyone gambles to win and may go to great lengths to win - even farther than most of us
know.
» Gambling breeds an attitude of contempt for human life. Example: In the intensive care unit
of Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, employees were betting on how long critically ill patients
would live. Some of the employees were overly anxious about their bets, and would tamper
with the oxygen supplies or other life support systems of heavily wagered patients. One nurse
in particular, who styled herself, "The angel of Death," allegedly turned off equipment on at
least six critically ill patients.
» Compulsive gamblers can destroy their families and sometimes even end their lives with
suicide. One expert's description of compulsive gamblers: "They run into enormous financial
difficulties borrowing or even stealing from others, including their families. Heavy debt is a
constant fact of life for compulsive gamblers. They sleep poorly, and are indifferent towards
eating and affection. They may drink a good deal, and they're tense and irritable. They even
consider suicide. But they always think about the next bet."
» Gambling can be a more powerful addiction than drugs.
» Gambling cultivates greed, attachment, possessiveness, and an obsession with money.

Examples of corruption linked to gambling

» Four Boston College basketball players have been sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for
taking bribes to reduce their team's score so that gamblers could beat the point spreads.
» Baltimore Colts quarterback Art Schilchter went to the FBI after losing $389,000 to illegal
bookmakers by betting on games.
» A police report prompted the New York Times to editorialize that the casinos "are providing
easy credit to gangsters and letting compulsive gamblers destroy themselves."
» Two officials of the Pennsylvania lottery were convicted of perjury and theft by injecting liquid
weight into numbered table tennis balls so that only two of the 10 could be blown up to a
plastic tube by a machine that selected the winning number.
» One survey of police enforcement of gambling laws found that 80% of the police believe that
profits from illegal gambling are used to finance other illegal activities such as loan-sharking
and drug distribution. In half of the sample cities, local independent criminal organizations were
said to control gambling operations.
» Sports bookies are often cited as the main source of bribes to police, prosecutors, and local
politicians. In his New Complete Guide to gambling, John Scarne reports: "No other form of
illegal gambling .. enjoys such effective police and political protection as illegal bookmaking."
Police prosecutors reply that gambling has low priority because the public doesn't consider it a
serious offense and as few as 2 percent of police officer's cases result in prosecution.
All examples taken from The Four Principles Of Freedom - A Comprehensive Study by Satyaraja
Das.
3.3: No Intoxication

If drugs could help God realization, then drugs would be more powerful than God. How can we
accept that? Drugs are chemical substances, which are material… (Srila Prabhupada, Science of
Self Realisation)

One definition for intoxicant:

"A substance that is not required for sustenance and has a stimulating or depressing effect on
the mind and body."

People will use any and all means possible for getting intoxicants into their system: drinking
beverages, smoking dried leaves and resin (in various forms), inhaling vapors, injecting
solutions, sniffing or snorting powders, inserting suppositories, chewing seeds, popping pills,
and even rubbing on the skin.

There are literally hundreds of different kinds of drugs, but some of the most common are
alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, cannabis, speed, heroin, valium, mescaline, LSD, ecstasy, cocaine.
Some are "uppers" (stimulants) and some are "downers" (depressants). But in all cases, they
produce artificial states and have detrimental side effects, both spiritually and materially. Of
course, some drugs are prescribed for medical / therapeutic purposes, so they may have an
overall beneficial effect.

Almost everyone takes some form of intoxication at some time in their lives if not throughout
their lives. All levels of society are involved, from teenagers to octogenarians, from the lowest
slums to the most highly placed professionals and officials. An enormous amount of money is
spent every year on legal drugs (beer, wine, cigarettes, coffee, tea, medicines…) in countries all
over the worl. They are multi-billion dollar industries. And the illegal drug trade is just as well
established.

Taking intoxicating substances is a part of cultures all over the world for as far back in history
as we can know. Intoxication is definitely a part of the material world and it is here to stay.

Q.1 Why do people take intoxicants?

Everyone basically knows that intoxicants are bad for your health, but still they take them.
What do you think drives people to take drugs? What do you think is their motivation? What
reasons do they give themselves?

Q.2 What's wrong with taking intoxicants?

…How can something material help one realize God, who is all-spiritual? It is impossible. What
one experiences from taking drugs is simply a kind of intoxication or hallucination; it is not God
realization. (Srila Prabhupada, Science of Self Realisation)

You decide
Evaluate each of the reasons given for the first question to see how strong they are. Do they
outweigh the answers given in the second question? You make the decision…

Three main spiritual reasons

Taking shelter: People take shelter of intoxication when they could be taking shelter of Krishna.
They try to decrease their pains and troubles this way by forgetting them. This is in the mode
of ignorance and leads away from enlightenment;
Seeking pleasure: People also take drugs to seek pleasure, when they could be seeking
pleasure in spiritual consciousness of Krishna. This is simply another way of enjoying and
exploiting the material body and mind;
Increases illusion: We are already in maya (illusion) in the material world and intoxicants
simply increase our illusion and take us farther away from Krishna; human life is a precious
chance to awaken ourselves to the Absolute Truth.
Some people argue that drugs are good for spiritual realisation because they enable one to
perceive higher levels of reality or can open one's mind to spiritual topics. How would you
respond to this?

Stay high forever!

In the mid-60s, Srila Prabhupada told his disciples that you don't need artificial chemicals in
Krishna consciousness. Krishna consciousness is the way to permanently elevate the
consciousness to the spiritual platform through the natural process of yoga and meditation so
you can stay high forever!

Facts and figures

Drugs
» Cash crops rob poorer countries of their natural resource of land and food.
» The dangers associated with harder drugs are widely recognised, but the social acceptability
of "soft" drugs is a danger in itself.

Nicotine
» About 120,000 people die every year in the US from smoking-related diseases
» Stimulates the adrenal gland to release nor-epinephrine (NE), which gives a feeling of
pleasure, but raises the heart rate
» Raises blood pressure
» Carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream instead of oxygen
» Atheroma builds up to block the arteries
» Smoking is carcinogenic and tar builds up in the lungs

Caffeine
» And as far as the coffee problem goes, the renowned David A. Phillips, Ph.D., has this to say,
"Whether tea, coffee, cocoa, and meat are consumed, the gradual accumulation of oxalic acid,
inherent in each of these, will actively degenerate the kidneys, developing integrative crystals
and kidney stones."
» The caffeine in two cups of coffee can produce changes in the heart rate (palpitations)
(dangerous to some)
» Possible chronic effect on the central nervous system
» Leaves the brain more fatigued after the effect is over
» Contributes towards hardening of the arteries and premature gout
» Caffeine is a metabolic credit card, it forces the body to secrete enough hormones now, but
we must pay later with fatigue, when the caffeine buzz wears off. It helps keep us out of touch
with the real bodily needs.

Alchohol
» There are an estimated eight million known alcoholics in America. Dr. Andre Ivy, former head
of the Clinical Science Department of the University of Illinois, notes that the number of
alcoholics is increasing by four hundred and fifty thousand each year. A recent survey has
disclosed that 75 percent of all crimes and 60 percent of all divorces have drinking in their
background. Meanwhile, the US National Safety Council revealed that 50 percent of all traffic
deaths are caused by drivers who had been drinking.
» Permanently kills brain cells
» Impairs intelligence and weakens memory and reasoning faculty
» Lessens endurance and resistance to disease.
3.4: No Illicit Sex

“But isn’t sex natural?”

Yes, but contraceptives are not. Sex is natural, and child-birth is the natural consequence of
sex. And it is also natural and healthy for a child to grow up in a stable environment where the
parents share a commitment to each other.

The desire for sex is also natural. It stems originally from the spiritual world where it is found in
its pure form, called adi-rasa. Material sex desire is natural for the material senses, but it is
unnatural for the pure soul. It is the perverted reflection of the adi-rasa, contaminated by a
covering of lust, the selfish desire to enjoy and imitate Krishna rather than to serve and satisfy
Him.

The underlying philosophy in summary

» Lust, or the desire to enjoy the material energy, is the original cause of the living entity's
falldown: "…lust is the greatest enemy of the living entity, and it is lust only which induces the
pure living entity to remain entangled in the material world."
» The greatest object of lust is sexual enjoyment. Thus sex desire is known as the binding
principle of material existence. It creates a hard knot of attachment in the heart of the
conditioned soul.
» Sex desire is the culmination of the desire to enjoy the material body. The greatest physical
pleasure is sex. Everyone has sex desire, and when one engages in sex, he becomes more
solidly anchored to the bodily concept of life.
» Being the most potent form of sense gratification, sex has the greatest potency for hindering
spiritual advancement.
» To attain spiritual perfection one needs to become free from sexual attraction. Therefore the
practices of Krishna consciousness are designed to help the devotee ultimately conquer this
attraction.

But if sex is detrimental to spiritual life, why is marriage included in the process of
Krishna consciousness? Shouldn't it just be avoided altogether?

» The brahmacari and grhasta asramas will be covered in more detail in a later section. At this
point, it is sufficient to say that lifelong celibacy is not suitable for everyone. Others may find
marriage unsuitable and do not need to restrict themselves unnecessarily.
» The desire to find a partner and have family life is so integral to life in the material world, a
devotee may feel too uncomfortable abstaining from it for his or her entire life. And to
artificially restrain themselves on a high level of renunciation may be more harmful than
beneficial.
» Therefore Krishna consciousness allows sanctified sexual enjoyment within married life
according to religious principles. Such practice is also considered celibacy.
» This process of regulated gratification allows one to satisfy the mind and senses. At the same
time, one gradually becomes purified from the attachment to the point that he becomes free
from it.

"Therefore, O Arjuna, best of the Bhäratas, in the very beginning, curb this great symbol of sin
[lust] by regulating the senses, and slay this destroyer of knowledge and self-realization."
(Bhagavad-gita 3.41)
Sex isn't all it's made out to be
Materialistic society glorifies sex through its popular idols and advertising, while it plays down
the obvious drawbacks. Devotees like to remain conscious of the drawbacks and glorify the
saints who exercise self-restraint.

Materialists project the idea that sex makes you happy. If this were true, then prostitutes would
be the happiest people in the world. Consider all the problems related to unrestrained sexual
conduct and the benefits of celibacy and Vedic marriage.

Think of all the suffering that can be related to sex, for individuals and the society. And what is
the true value of the pleasures one gains? Compare it to spiritual life.

The whole system of materialistic life revolves around this sexual pleasure. But this pleasure is
like one drop of water in the desert. The desert requires an ocean of water. If you find one drop
of water in a desert, you can certainly say, "Here is some water." But what is its value?
Similarly, there is certainly some pleasure in sex life, but what is the value of that pleasure?
Compared to the unlimited pleasure of Krishna consciousness, it is like one drop of water in the
desert. Everyone is seeking unlimited pleasure, but no one is becoming satisfied. They are
having sex in so many different ways, and the young girls walking on the street are almost
naked. The whole society has become degraded. The men take advantage of the situation.
There is a saying in Benga that "When milk is available in the marketplace, what is the use of
keeping a cow?" So men are declining to keep a wife because sex is so cheap. They are
deserting their families. (Srila Prabhupada, Journey of Self-Discovery 7.3)

How to keep sexual urges under control

The tongue: "… the bodily demands begin with the tongue. If one can restrain the demands of
the tongue by limiting its activities to the eating of prasada, the urges of the belly and the
genitals can automatically be controlled." (Nectar of Instruction 1)

Eat moderately at regulated times and keep a balanced diet for good health. Eating for sense
gratification at any time the tongue urges you will agitate the senses. Packing the belly up to
capacity places pressure on the genital.

The mind: "While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops ttachment for
them, and from such attachment lust develops…" (Bhagavad-gita 2.62)

Try this:

Do not think of a pink elephant with green spots!

Did you think of one? But I told you not to!

What do you think is the best way to avoid contemplating the opposite sex?
» Would it be by thinking about how you shouldn't do it?
» Or by absorbing the mind in devotional service to Krishna?
The restlessness or fickleness of the mind (mano-vega) is controlled when one can fix his mind
on the lotus feet of Krishna.
3.5: Sense Gratification

Sense gratification and the path of Bhakti yoga

There is no possibility of one becoming a yogi, O Arjuna, if one eats too much or eats too little,
sleeps too much or does not sleep enough. He who is regulated in his habits of eating, sleeping,
recreation and work can mitigate all material pains by practising the yoga system. (Bhagavad-
gita 6.16–17)

And by doing so sets the tone for the lifestyle of someone on the path of yoga — the key words
are regulation and moderation. When eating, sleeping, recreation and work are involved there
will always be some enjoyment available. The spirit of yoga is not one of flagrant sense
gratification. It is rather one of self-monitored restraint according to realisation. The analogy of
salting food illustrates the point that there must be sufficient material comfort so that you will
possess physical strength, enthusiasm and sensual power.

Sense gratification is just like salt; we should not take too much or too little. Saltless food is
bland and so we must add some salt for health and in order to make the food palatable. It
would be foolishness to therefore think “Salt is very good, let me add the whole salt pot.”
Because that would spoil the entire preparation. Conversely, if we taste over-salted food, or
read about hardened arteries and conclude that any salt is a bad thing, and that we should
consume no salt whatsoever — that could also lead to disaster. The body craves salt because it
needs salt, thus the senses also crave and need some gratification, but rather than be dragged
by our senses, we can make conscious decisions about how much and what forms of sense
gratification we accept into our lives.

In the previous lesson we discussed taking the broader spiritual picture into perspective when
making decisions. The question of finding a balance of sense gratification, is a real and decisive
practical application of this principle. Whenever I make the choice about the level and type of
sense gratification I accept, I can ask: “Is this decision consistent with my real identity as a
spiritual being on a journey of self-discovery?” and “Are the long reaching consequences of this
decision for the general good of me and my spiritual brothers and sisters?”

Attempting to give up sense gratification completely has often proven counterproductive,

because strength of will is not sufficient to maintain such an extraordinary level of renunciation.
When those trying to give up “cold turkey” suffer a set-back or relapse they are prone to dive
into sense gratification as an extreme reaction to the self denial they have been artificially
maintaining.

The key to controlling the senses is spiritual realisation, one of the characteristics of the soul is
that it is attracted to enjoyment, thus sense enjoyment must be replaced by another type of
enjoyment. When a small child wants to play with something harmful such as a sharp
implement, the best way to take the dangerous implement away from the child is to simply
offer the child something else to play with, it will have to relinquish the objectionable object to
accept the safe one. Forms of sense enjoyment can be accepted that are congruous with the
spiritual ideals and truths you have chosen to accept and honour within your life. As a traveller
on the path of self-realisation it is very helpful to regulate your daily activities to maintain the
consistent level of self-discipline that is right for you.

Practical application

There are times in our devotional practice when chanting and following the regulative principles
is very easy. However, there are also times when these practices become very difficult and
seem insurmountable. In fact, it has often been found that in the beginning these practices are
easy, but with the passing of time it becomes more difficult to maintain them. What to do?
Remember Krishna’s words in the Bhagavad-gita:

» Bg 12.8: Just fix your mind upon Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and engage all
your intelligence in Me. Thus you will live in Me always, without a doubt.
» Bg 12.9: My dear Arjuna, O winner of wealth, if you cannot fix your mind upon Me without
deviation, then follow the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga. In this way develop a desire to
attain Me.
» Bg 12.10: If you cannot practice the regulations of bhakti-yoga, then just try to work for Me,
because by working for Me you will come to the perfect stage.
» Bg 12.11: If, however, you are unable to work in this consciousness of Me, then try to act
giving up all results of your work and try to be self-situated.
» Bg 12.12: If you cannot take to this practice, then engage yourself in the cultivation of
knowledge. Better than knowledge, however, is meditation, and better than meditation is
renunciation of the fruits of action, for by such renunciation one can attain peace of mind.

Things to do

» Pray to Krishna for strength and direction.

» Learn to take shelter in chanting, this will help to transform your heart.
» Find your own maintainable level of devotional practice, one which will gradually enable you
to reach the ideal rather than an unrealistic and unachievable end which will only frustrate you.
» Associate with those who have a slightly higher level of practice than you do (those who are
also struggling but maintaining higher standards).
» Practice some level of self discipline, it is the genuine path to higher enjoyment.

Things to avoid

» Getting negative to the point that you feel like abandoning your self-discipline and devotional
service.
» Feeling remorse when we keep tripping up in our practices is healthy, however, beware a
guilt complex, which leads to deceptive unhealthy habits such as hiding behind masks.
» Imposing your set of standards on other members of your family, especially spouses. Inspire
them by your example.
» Don’t mentally crucify yourself, ask for help from another Vaisnava.
» Rupa Goswami teaches us in the Nectar of Instruction to accept those things favourable for
devotional service and reject those things that are unfavourable.
» Become responsible for your own spiritual life rather than compete with others.
» Endeavour to come to the mode of goodness before striving for ‘transcendence’, evaluate
your lifestyle, what things help you and what things act as obstacles.

Chanting only a few rounds and adhering to only one or two regulative principles does not
exclude you from being a devotee, as long as Krishna sees that you are trying in His service
and keeping the goal in sight, even if it takes you a lifetime to reach it. We are living beings in
fallible human bodies. It’s okay to make mistakes as long as we learn from them (rather than
become lax as a result of them).

The regulative principles minimise the risk of you becoming a victim of advertising campaigns,
marketing psychologists and therapy gurus.

The Lord helps those who help themselves. If you approach the Lord with sincerity and depend
upon him, then the Lord Himself will clean your heart from within.
3.6: Tips for the Struggle

If you find yourself struggling with chanting or the four regulative principles, don’t be alarmed,
it is natural and to be expected for any individual who makes sacrifices (mental or physical) in
order to progress spiritually. In fact, expect challenges as you move forward, be prepared for
them and gradually work through them rather than evade them, otherwise they will only come
back again and again. Find your own level of manageable practice, even though initially it may
appear to be a compromise, gradually work up to the ideal, it may take weeks…….,
months………, or even years! But, sincerely persevere and the Lord within the heart will
reciprocate.

Whenever there is a human impulse, our tendency is to respond immediately without even
contemplating the outcome. In reality there exists a short moment between an impulse and a
response, catch yourself during this short moment, think first, then act. If this thinking is based
on principled directions (or scripture), you will succeed in holding back the force of unwarranted
impulses.
Remember, whilst striving for the highest spiritual principles, we still have responsibilities to our
spouses, children and friends. We must be conscious of their needs before imposing our own.

In all cases of upholding any vows, the key principle is DESIRE, half of the battle is won if we
ourselves make a conscious decision to follow a practice rather than feel obliged to do so – so
desire it!

Meat eating: If you find it difficult to give up meat eating, the following list of progressive
stages might help you to gradually come to your desired level of practice:

Red meat (avoid beef)

White meat
Eggs and fish
Meat additives and preservatives
Full vegetarian
Mainly eating food offered to Krishna (prasadam)
Eating prasadam only
Chanting a few attentive rounds regularly also makes an immense difference, Krishna helps to
take away the taste for meat.

Intoxication: Intoxication generally falls in three main categories:

Hard / heavy addictions

Mediocre habits
Mild pushings
If you can give up a particular type of intoxicant straight away, great, but most of us struggle
for a while and then have moments of indulgence. We fall prey to subtle callings!

If, withdrawal symptoms result in constant headaches…..

» Regulate the habit (with heavy addictions, if it not possible after several attempts, then seek
professional help).
» Once regulated, gradually diminish the frequency of the habit (this period may vary from one
person to another).
» Regularly evaluate your responses.
» If possible, find a replacement for your habit.
» Catch yourself each time you abuse your commitment.
» Put a £1 in a charity box as a penalty for breaking your commitment each time.
» Eat lots of prasadam!!!
Once again, to state the obvious, having a desire to give up a particular intoxicant and
acquiring a taste for chanting goes a long way to help achieve our goal.

» Family / friends can also help keep one’s commitment

» Gradually go from a heavy addiction to a mediocre one to a light one……go all the way.
» Small habits such as tea, coffee, chocolate and the drug of TV watching are often the most
difficult to drop. Naturally, they are not as bad as other drugs etc, but they have become part
of the social fabric / lifestyle and and they still influence, affect our consciousness in a
cumulative way.

Illicit sex
Sex is very similar to an intoxicant, it thrives on an addictive urge that one feels. In today’s
society, sex is all pervasive and is used to market everything from perfumes to chainsaws. The
present atmosphere in the west (the east is not far behind) is one of over-stimulation.
Someone else is constantly disturbing our senses to sell us something; we may think we are
above it but advertising works in a very subtle way and it is very effective. In modern culture
sex life has thus become exploitative and manipulative, the result is that it damages our
determination. When one gives in to the sex urge, one loses the determination to do what one
wants and becomes a victim to cheap desires sold by advertising campaigns.

So, what to do?

» It becomes easy to say NO when there is a deeper YES in your life ie if there is a greater
burning goal you wish to achieve.
» Just as we cut out other bad habits, sex life also damages our determination and resolve.
Avoid it from shackling you.
» Prioritise sex, relegate it to an inferior position on your list of priorities.
» Avoid sexually explicit magazines, novels, videos and films.
» Beware of acting whimsically, reflect on what is proper action, these sensitive matters must
be mutually arranged with your partner.

Gambling
This revolves around the possibility that ‘I might win’. It carries with it an attitude that denies
the existence of God. Chance becomes the greater force, chance becomes my God! Once again,
this is another example of an addiction that controls one, the thrill and rush of blood which
accompanies a WIN. Time wasting activities and excesses in practically anything fall under this
category including excessive TV.

Gambling can be dealt in a similar way to intoxication, regulate your bad habits, come in
control of your habit rather than become a victim of your habit, gradually decrease its
frequency, till finally you can relinquish it.
4: Hearing and Chanting

Spiritual life begins with hearing and chanting. And they together they form the essence of the
means of advancement.

By hearing and chanting:

one's heart and mind are purified and elevated
one gains spiritual strength
one pleases Krishna

In the beginning it may be difficult, but with constant practice one gradually develops a taste.
Just as sugar candy will taste bitter to a person with jaundice in the begining but it remains the
Ayurvedic cure.

Action: Most people hear and speak about mundane topics

Result: Their minds become absorbed in mundane thoughts.
Action: Keep the natural tendency to hear and speak, but change the subject to Krishna.
Result: One's mind will become spiritually enlightened.

Hearing
» The Vedanta-Sutra 4.4.22 says anavrtti sabdat, "one is liberated by sound."
» Sound is the subtlest element that we can perceive. Therefore transcendental sound can most
effectively enter the mind and heart to produce change.
» When a man is sleeping, he can be awakened by sound. Similarly, the conditioned souls
sleeping in illusion can be awakened to knowledge of God by hearing transcendental sound.

Chanting
People always want to see God, but we cannot see God with our blunt material senses. however
if we please Krishna with our devotional service, He reveals Himself. The sastra states that such
devotional service begins with the tongue: through chanting and taking prasadam. Thus seeing
God begins with the tongue — a rather unusual principle! The yuga-dharma (process of religion
for this age) consists of chanting:

the holy name congregationally (nama-sankirtana) and

the glories of the Lord and His holy name (nama-pracara).

Two main categories of hearing and chanting:

[Link] and glorification

Explanations of Krishna consciousness
Glorification of the Lord
Preaching
Reading/Writing about Krishna
2. The holy names
Private meditation (japa)
Singing out loud while dancing (kirtana)
Sitting and singing with instruments (bhajans)
Singing the holy names in public (harinam)

When transcendental knowledge is:

1. Received (heard)
One learns to see things differently
One's doubts and illusions are destroyed
2. Given (chanted)
One gains deeper understanding and assimilates the knowledge he has received
One gains the special mercy of Krishna
Conditions for proper transmission of spiritual knowledge:

1. Must be heard with the right attitude

with humility and respect
open-minded, not challenging
with desire to learn and understand
2. Must come from the right source
from a genuine devotee
not Mayavadi or professional speaker
from someone who has controlled senses and sufficient knowledge
Both the hearer and the speaker must be qualified.

Chanting the holy names of the Lord

Chanting the holy names of the Lord is the central practice of Lord Caitanya's followers.
Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya once asked Lord Caitanya, "Which item is most important in the
execution of devotional service?" The Lord replied that the most important item was the
chanting of the holy name of the Lord.

harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam

kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha

"In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy
names of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way."
(Brhan-naradiya Purana, thirty-eighth chapter, verse 126)

» Chanting is a preparation to call out to the Lord at death (see the story of Ajamila)
» Trnad api sunicena ( one must chant with a humble state of mind)
» For control of the mind and tongue
» Includes processes of hearing, chanting, remembering, praying, meditation, service, sacrifice
» In this age all other processes must be accompanied by the chanting
» whatever one does in executing devotional service must be accompanied with the chanting of
the holy name of the Lord.
» Hearing and chanting the names of God. Can also be Allah or Jehovah.
» Name, form, qualities, pastimes
» Taste for chanting attained by full surrender
4.1: Panca-tattva Mantra

The Panca-tattva Mantra:

jaya sri krishna caitanya,prabhu nityananda,
sri advaita, gadadhara,srivasadi gaura-bhakta-vrinda

Before chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one must first take shelter of Gaura-Nitai by
reciting the Panca-tattva mantra. This frees one from the reactions of his offenses while
chanting Hare Krishna because Lord Caitanya is the most magnanimous incarnation of the Lord
and His mercy is easily achieved.

Panca = Five; Tattva = Truths;

"The Absolute Truth in five features"

The mantra can be broken down into two parts:

1. The names of Lord Caitanya and His associates

Lord Caitanya: Krishna Himself in the form of His devotee
Lord Nityananda: the expansion of a devotee
Advaita Acarya: as the incarnation of a devotee
Gadadhara: the devotional energy
Srivas Thakur: the pure devotee
2. All the other devotees
» Adi means etc., referring to all the other great devotees of Lord Caitanya.
» Gaura-bhakta-vrnda refers to the present, assembled devotees of the Lord

4.2: Hare Krishna Maha-mantra

Srila Prabhupada once announced, "The chanting of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's name is more
essential than the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra." One smart devotee then
inquired whether we should therefore chant rounds of the Panca-tattva mantra to which Srila
Prabhupada replied, "No — because Lord Caitanya's instruction was to chant Hare Krishna."

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

» The Hare Krishna maha-mantra is a very simple mantra consisting of only three words: Hare,
Krishna, and Rama.
» Hare means unto Mother Hara (i.e. Lord Krishna's personal pleasure potency, Srimati
Radharani).
» Krishna means the all-attractive Lord.
» Rama means the source of all enjoyment.
» When we chant Hare Krishna we are praying: "O energy of the Lord (Hare), O Lord (Krishna
and Rama) please engage me in Your service"
» Maha-mantra means "the Great Mantra Of Deliverance".

Lord Caitanya and the Vedas both recommend this process:

hare krishna hare Krishna krishna krishna hare hare
hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare
iti sodasakam namnam kali-kalmasa-nasanam
natah parataropayah sarva-vedesu drsyate

"The sixteen words of the Hare Krishna mantra are especially meant for counteracting the
contaminating influence of the age of Kali. After searching through all the Vedic literature, one
cannot find a better method."
4.3: The Glories of the Holy Names

» Krishna and His name are non-different

» The Lord's name has descended from Goloka
» Invested with the Lord's spiritual potency
» Purifies the heart and mind
» The chanting process is simple, sublime, and all-auspicious; even a child can take part
» Frees one from sinful reaction and material bondage;
» Chanting "Rama" gives the same result as chanting the 1000 names of Vishnu
» Chanting once "Krishna" has the same potency as 3x the 1000 names of Vishnu
» Also effective for someone who is not even aware of its potency
» Contains the benefits of all other Vedic rites; to be chanting is the same as having performed
all the Vedic processes of purification
» The means in this age for attaining pure love of God (Krishna-prema)
» Protects you from maya and falldowns (Bg 9.31p)
» Purifies the whole atmosphere
» Yields the same results as the processes of previous yugas
» Elevates one even from a low background
» The only possible process in this age: everything else is too difficult to execute (Bg 8.11p last
para)
» Chanters are most attractive to Krishna
» All the Vedic knowledge is contained within the maha-mantra, the essence of the Vedas is to
chant, and by chanting one realizes the meaning of the Vedas
» The ultimate means to attain the ultimate success

Vedic verses glorifying the holy names

» "By once chanting the holy name of the Lord, which consists of the two syllables ha-ri, one
guarantees his path to liberation." (Skanda Purana)
» "Simply by chanting one holy name of Hari, a sinful man can counteract the reactions to more
sins than he is able to commit." (Brhad-Vishnu Purana)
» "If one chants the holy name of the Lord, even in a helpless condition or without desiring to
do so, all the reactions of his sinful life depart, just as when a lion roars, all the small animals
flee in fear." (Garuda Purana)
» Refer also to the story of Ajamila and the story of the Yavana
» "Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga by meditating on Vishnu, in Treta-yuga by
performing sacrifices, and in Dvapara-yuga by serving the Lord's lotus feet can be obtained in
Kali-yuga simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra." (SB 12.3.52)
» "To say nothing of the spiritual advancement of persons who see the Supreme Person face to
face, even a person born in a family of dog-eaters immediately becomes eligible to perform
Vedic sacrifices if he once utters the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead or
chants about Him, hears about His pastimes, offers Him obeisances or even remembers Him."
(SB 3.33.6)
» "My dear Narada, actually I do not reside in My abode, Vaikuntha, nor do I reside within the
hearts of the yogis, but I reside in that place where My pure devotees chant My holy name and
discuss My form, pastimes and qualities." (Padma Purana)
» "O King, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord after the ways of the great
authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, including those who are free
from all material desires, those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and also those who
are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge." (SB 2.1.11)
» "Those who are actually advanced in knowledge are able to appreciate the essential value of
this age of Kali. Such enlightened persons worship Kali-yuga because in this fallen age all
perfection of life can easily be achieved by the performance of sankirtana." (SB 11.5.36)
» "Living beings who are entangled in the complicated meshes of birth and death can be freed
immediately by even unconsciously chanting the holy name of Krishna, which is feared by fear
personified." (SB 1.1.14)
4.4: Three Levels of Chanting

1. Namaparadha: Conditioned chanting with offences (aparadha = offence)

This is the level that most people start on when they first take up regular chanting. The ten
kinds of offences are covered in the next section.

To attain the next stage one must continue to chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra regularly
according to the principles of trnad api su-nicena taror iva sahisnuna (Siksastaka 3) and repent,
"I have committed offences unnecessarily or unknowingly." Then one will attain the next stage
called namabhasa (offenceless chanting).

2. Namabhasa: Liberated chanting without offences (abhasa = morning twilight; "the faint
light of the holy name")

This stage of chanting immediately frees the chanter of all sinful reactions and gives liberation.
It has two divisions: sraddha-namabhasa and namabhasa.

Namabhasa: If someone chants the holy name accidentally.

Chanting as a joke
In the course of ordinary discussion
In indicating something extraneous
In negligence
Sraddha-namabhasa: This is when a completely faithful devotee chants on the liberated
platform and avoids all the offences. This is almost on the transcendental platform. Continued
chanting on this level leads to the next.

3. Sudha-nama: Pure chanting in love of God (sudha = pure)

The perfectional stage: while the devotee fully relishes the nectar of the holy name (nama),
he sees Krishna's form (rupa), realises His qualities (guna), and remembers His pastimes (lila).
4.5: Ten Offenses to the Holy Name

Padma Purana(Brahma Khanda 25.15–18)

1. To blaspheme devotees who have dedicated their lives to chanting the holy name of the
Lord. The holy name, who is identical with Krishna, will never tolerate such blasphemous
activities.
2. To consider the names of Lord Siva or Lord Brahma to be on an equal level with the holy
name of Lord Vishnu.
3. To disobey the orders of the spiritual master or to consider him an ordinary person.
4. To blaspheme the Vedic literatures or literatures in pursuance of the Vedic version.
5. To give some interpretation on the holy name of the Lord.
6. To consider the glories of the holy name of the Lord as imagination.
7. To think that the Hare Krishna mantra can counteract all sinful reactions and one may
therefore go on with his sinful activities and at the same time chant the Hare Krishna mantra to
neutralise them is the greatest offense at the lotus feet of Hari-nama.
8. To consider the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra to be one of the auspicious
ritualistic mantras mentioned in the Vedas as fruitive activity.
9. It is an offense to preach the glories of the holy name of the Lord to the faithless.
10. If one has heard the glories of the transcendental holy name of the Lord but nevertheless
continues in a materialistic concept of life, thinking “I am this body and everything belonging to
this body is mine [aham mameti],” and does not show respect and love for the chanting of the
Hare Krishna maha-mantra, that is an offense.

api pramadah: It is also an offense to be inattentive while chanting.

1. Blaspheming devotees: A sadhu is anyone who is surrendering to Krishna. To blaspheme

such a person is compared to a mad elephant (hati mata) that comes and tramples the creeper
of devotion.

Examples: criticising a devotee because…

He has a lower social status
His manners are not yet so polished
He eats too much prasadam
He had previously been a drug addict
He has been weak and temporarily gave up devotional service

Faultfinding versus constructive criticism

Faultfinding:
Pride: making yourself feel superior.
Envy: when someone manifests an anartha that you yourself have.
Frustration: when others do not fulfill your expectations.

Constructive criticism:With a caring attitude, free from envy, meant to benefit the person,
keeping the good things about this person in mind.

A devotee should be like the honey bee that always looks for the nectar and not like the fly that
always looks for stool or open sores. One associates with whatever qualities he focuses on, and
thus he cultivates those qualities.

Just as a dirty man should no longer be regarded as dirty if he is having a shower, so a

devotee, even though still impure, should never be criticised if he is sincerely involved in the
purificatory process of bhakti.

How to counter-act the offence: Humbly approach that devotee, offer obeisances, and beg
forgiveness.
2. Considering demigods to be equal to Krishna
» Applies mainly to India, where many people worship demigods.
» The demigods are subordinate and dependent. Whatever powers the demigods have and
whatever benedictions they can offer are only possible because Krishna empowers them and
gives them His sanction.
» Also refers to considering the holy name a material sound vibration.
» A devotee must know that the name of Krishna is absolute and non-different from Krishna
Himself, whereas the names of the demigods are relative and different from them.

How to counter-act the offence: Study the scriptural statements regarding the nature of the
holy name and Krishna; take shelter of the holy name and beg forgiveness

3. Disobeying orders of the spiritual master

» Explicit instructions must be followed
» Under certain circumstances the spiritual master may deliver general advice or suggestions
but leaves it up to the disciple to choose what to do on specific occasions
» This offence includes having a material conception of the guru or envying him

How to counter-act the offence: Humbly approach the guru, offer obeisances, and beg
forgiveness.

4. Blaspheming the Vedic Literature

» To denounce the information in the revealed scriptures.
» To regard the Vedas as mundane literature
» To keep scriptures in a dirty place

How to counter-act the offence: Offer flowers to the Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-
gita

5. Considering the glories of the holy name to be imaginary

» To consider the statements as exaggerations just to motivate people
» To think that devotees have given artificial importance to the holy name.
» Don't be surprised; the holy name is non-different from Krishna
» It’s simply a question of time before one gets the effects of chanting
» See conversation with Haridasa Thakur (CC Ant 3.176-86)

How to counter-act the offence: Study the philosophy, take shelter of the holy name and
beg forgiveness

6. Giving some mundane interpretation

» To think that chanting creates a chemical reaction in the brain and simply produces some
euphoric effect
» For example, thinking that Hari means impersonal Brahman, Krishna refers to the mind, and
» Rama means satisfaction; Or Krishna = black = unknown
» To define the holy name of the Lord in terms of one's mundane calculation

How to counter-act the offence: Reveal it to a devotees and beg forgiveness

7. Committing Sinful Activities

» To commit sins with the expectation of neutralising the reactions by chanting
» Prabhupada often repeated that this is the greatest offense
» For example, people who go to church to confess but then sin again next week
» After taking shelter of the holy name, one should strictly restrain him or herself from
committing sinful acts.
» Accidental sins don't count

How to counter-act the offence: The only thing that can help is to sincerely repent
8. Considering chanting the holy name to be one of the auspicious ritualistic activities
» Karma-kanda: performing religious ceremonies, following austere vows, practicing
renunciation, penances and austerities, fire sacrifices in order to gain material benedictions
(wealth, power, health, etc.) from the demigods.
» To think that chanting Hare Krishna belongs to this category or is a pious activity
» To equate chanting to other spiritual activities, such as meditation, austerity, penance or
sacrifice
» One should not try to utilise the holy name for one's personal service
» Chanting the holy name is meant for attaining love of God

How to counter-act the offence: Approach devotees and attain sambandha-jnana from them

9. Instructing a faithless person

» To glorify the importance of the holy name, or elevated information of Krishna to persons who
have no interest; who are not ready to hear, or who may as a result of hearing become more
antagonistic.
» Pseudo-spiritualists selling the holy name to unqualified persons.

What about public chanting and preaching?

» You can get people to chant; by chanting they will be purified and appreciate the holy name.
» Srila Prabhupada encouraged everyone to chant, but he didn't immediately tell them all the
details.
» When you make this offence, you run the risk of diminishing your own faith

How to counter-act the offence: No recommendation given for counteracting this offense.
Just don't do it.

10. Incomplete faith / material attachments

» Material attachments: to be attached to the misconception of possessing something, or to
accept the body as one's self, while executing the process of spiritual cultivation.
» Bodily concept: I and mine.
» We must have a service attitude and let go of the attachments
» We may be attached but if we are stubbornly attached, one should intend to get free of
attachments. We should mark them with “X” just as a woodcutter marks trees to be cut down
in the future
» Having complete faith in the holy name means that you feel the holy name is all you need (to
be happy, etc). Keeping material attachment means you still think you need these things

How to counter-act the offence: In order to develop complete faith and give up
attachments, associate with advanced devotees and chant with them

Lack of Concentration
» This is like inviting someone around to visit, and then ignoring them. You are calling out to
Krishna, but meanwhile you are distracted by the mind or what is going on elsewhere.
» Examples: While chanting, reading the notice board, having a chat, driving the car, tidying up
the room, thinking about different things.
» To have the full effect, the holy name must enter the ear and make an impression on the
mind. The mind must be focused on the sound vibration. This is an association with Krishna. We
want to associate as fully as possible.

How to counter-act the offence: Pray to the holy name that one may always chant clearly
and hear attentively
4.6: Japa Workshop: Process, Techniques, and Methodology

Chanting, while mostly devotional, is also a technical process of meditation. This section will
help you to understand more of what is involved and how to improve your japa meditation.

The proper use of beads

» Start from bead no.1; turning at bead no.108
» Turn each bead in the fingers.
» Don’t chant on or cross the larger bead where you start

Pronunciation
One should note in this connection that chanting involves the activities of the upper and lower
lips as well as the tongue. All three must be engaged in chanting the Hare Krishna maha-
mantra. The words “Hare Krishna” should be very distinctly pronounced and heard. Sometimes
one mechanically produces a hissing sound instead of chanting with the proper pronunciation
with the help of the lips and tongue. Chanting is very simple, but one must practice it seriously.
(Srila Prabhupada, Cc Adi 7.32 purport)

On one hand, there are different pronunciations throughout India and the sastra does state that
the holy name is still effective even if improperly pronounced, but it is beneficial to concentrate
and practice clear pronunciation.

Typical faults
» ‘H’ in Hare: sometimes dropped
» ‘A’ in Hare: mispron. ‘O’ as in Lorry; should be ‘uh’ as in Hurry.
» ‘R’ in Hare: sometimes sounds more like ‘D’
» ‘E’ in Hare: mispron. ‘I’ as in Bit; should be ‘ay’ as in Ray.
» ‘K’ in Krishna: sometimes sounds more like ‘G’ in Grip.
» ‘R’ in Krishna: sometimes dropped: ‘Kishna’
» ‘SH’ in Krishna: ‘G’ as in Genre (French pronunc.) or ‘S’ as in Snug.
» ‘N’ in Krishna: sometimes dropped: ‘Krisha’
» ‘A’ in Krishna: run together with the next Hare: ‘Krishna-ray’
» Rama: be careful not to call out for Rum.
» Sometimes with ‘Rama Rama Rama,’ you get the ‘revving-up-the-motorbike’ effect: ‘manar-
manar-manar-manarrrr!’ (trying to chant too fast)
» Note: Both Ram and Rama are OK.

Chanting speed
» In the beginning you may be slow (around 10 minutes per round)
» It is important to practice proper pronunciation
» But in time you should naturally speed up (no more than 7 – 7½ minutes per round)
» Ultimately it is individual, but most devotees find that speeding up increases the intensity of
their chanting and their concentration level
» If your rounds are taking too long, it could mean that you are distracted
» Try to maintain good, clear pronunciation with a good speed
» Some devotees can chant a round in 5 – 5½ min, but be careful not to lose the clarity of the
syllables!

Posture
» One’s mental and physical state is affected by one’s bodily posture and can be altered by
changing the posture. That is why practicing asanas is integral to the yogic process, which is a
highly developed science.
» Importantly, you can affect the mind’s ability to concentrate.
» Remain peaceful, and accept the proper attitude by adopting certain postures
» Perhaps you have already experienced the difference between chanting sitting in a
conventional chair (legs down) and sitting cross-legged
» Basically, sit cross-legged with a little extra support under your bottom. The back and neck
should be erect in a straight line, the head up. Breathing should be deep and rhythmic.
» Discuss further with your tutor.

Common Pitfalls
» “Prajalpa-japa”: Unnecessarily talking while chanting
» “Dive-bomb japa”: Falling asleep while chanting (head nodding off)
» “Radar japa”: constantly looking all around the room
» “Machine-gun japa”: much too fast while shaking the finger
» “Jibber-japa”: it is just gibberish, no one can understand it
» “Day-dreamjapa”: not concentrating, following the wandering mind

Attentiveness
This is the most essential part of chanting: how attentive are you?

Imagine you are driving a car and you have a passenger sitting next to you. The passenger is
continually pointing things out and trying to draw your attention to them: “Oh, look there’s a
shoe sale on! Look at those nice shoes! … Ah, look at that guy with the funny hat! … Are those
your gloves on the back seat? … Look out, no, no, turn left! Oh, I thought we had to go left. …
Look at the TV shop – is that your favorite football team playing? … Uh-oh, check this out:
there’s a guy getting arrested over there….” If you keep getting distracted by what your
passenger is saying, you’re going to crash the car.

The passenger is like your mind, and driving the car is like chanting your rounds. If you keep
talking to someone and they are continuously ignoring you, eventually you are just going to
shut up. That is the best way to deal with the mind: just ignore it and keep your attention on
“the road”, it will eventually shut up.

Tip
Keep a paper and pencil to note anything down that should not be forgotten. Then you can tell
your mind that you will think about it later.

An interesting exercise
Keep a list of all the subjects brought up by the mind during your japa and then review it at the
end. Usually you can just throw away the whole list because you didn’t need to think about any
of these things at all. It is a very graphic way of proving to yourself that you don’t need to take
the mind so seriously (the mind won’t like that and will try to convince you that you should take
it very seriously).

The Big Picture

Now, chanting is not just about getting the technique right. It is important to not lose sight of
the big picture. We are ultimately not independent of Krishna, and we must always humbly pray
to Him and seek His shelter and guidance. In the larger picture, we must always see that we
have to get to the platform of taste in our chanting and ultimately attain love for Krishna.

Attitude
Your mood, attitude, or mentality is also very important while chanting. Chanting is not just a
mechanical process. It must be accompanied with the appropriate feelings, performed for the
right purpose, and with proper consciousness.

» Enthusiasm/Great Eagerness: One should realize that love for Krishna is the ultimate goal. He
should have total eagerness to attain it, even to the point of crying for it, like a baby. That is
the price one must pay.
» Prayerful: Remember that the maha-mantra is a prayer. Remember the meaning of the
prayer, and offer it in a prayerful mood: a communication between you and God – a very
personal experience.
» Helpless/Dependent: A devotee feels helpless without the Lord’s mercy and dependent on the
holy names. Example: small child and grown teenagers.
» Humility/ Reverence: When we take darsan of the Deity, we must first take our shoes off, ring
a bell, bow down, conch shells blow, the curtains are drawn – we are seeing the form of the
Lord. The same respect and reverence should be given to the holy name.
» Service: Chanting is a kind of service. It should be performed in a serving mood, serving the
holy name by uttering it. Not that we are the master of Krishna, causing Him to manifest.
» Grateful: Be thankful to the Lord for the mercy that He is bestowing upon you and all the
fallen souls in the form of His holy name
» Tolerant: All difficulties and obstacles of the mind must be tolerated. One may not have any
taste for chanting or find the process hard to follow. All discomforts must be tolerated for
Krishna’s satisfaction.
» Patient: It may take a lot of practice before one gets better at chanting. One must patiently
continue to endeavor. We are eternal, so there is no need to panic.
» Determined: Never become discouraged. Always continue with determination knowing that
success is ultimately guaranteed.
» Important/Essential: Be conscious of the importance of this chanting process. Remember that
it is essential to spiritual advancement.
» Faithfully: We must cultivate our faith in the holy name, put our trust in it.
» Please let me in: Ask Krishna to allow us to enter into the inner realizations of chanting the
holy names.
4.7: Kirtan and Bhajan Workshop

Kirtana and bhajana are universal; you will find these methods of worship in all religious
traditions around the world. Kirtana means chanting the names of God musically in a group,
while bhajana (literally means worship) refers to devotional songs.

Underlying principles of kirtana

» Chanting, dancing, and playing musical instruments together in a group is an enjoyable and
absorbing experience that uplifts one’s mind and heart.
» Song and dance is a natural part of all human cultures.
» Kirtana usually has a slow start to get everyone locked in, and then gradually builds up to a
climax. In this context, it heightens the concentration on the names.
» It is anintegral part of deity worship.
» It helps to build relationships between devotees.
» You can chant longer without feeling fatigued.
» All kinds of people can join in.

Proper use of karatalas

» Be careful to stick to the rhythm
» Don’t inadvertently speed up orslow down the kirtana.
» The first two beats should be staccato, the third a chiming ring.
» Be aware of the mood: if kirtana is soft, gentle, and sweet, don’t go clashing your karatalas
together loudly.
» They should sound like the ankle-bells on the gopis, not bin lids smashing together.

Movement and dancing

» One may feel stiff or self-conscious and may not feel like dancing. If you do it anyway, you
can shake off your inhibitions; it is good for the soul.
» Getting the entire physical body to take part in the chanting process makes the whole
experience far more absorbing and more easily creates lasting mental impressions.

The temple songs

These may be difficult at first but do try to follow. We sing the same songs regularly every day.
The repetition becomes more relishable. These are the main ones you will need to know.
» Sri-Sri-Gurv-astaka (Beginning of Mangal Arati)
» Sri Nrsimha Pranama (End of Mangal Arati)
» Sri Tulasi-kirtana (for Tulasi Arati, after Mangal Arati)
» Sri Guru-vandana (Srila Prabhupada’s guru-puja)
» Jaya Radha-Madhava (sung before class)
» Prasada-sevaya (sung before honoring prasadam)
» Gaura-arati (sung in the evening)
These songs can all be found in a basic songbook available from most temples
5: Deity Worship

The articles used in an arati-ceremony

» Conch shell (to blow)
» A cup of fresh water and a spoon (acamana – for purification)
» Incense sticks (at least three)
» Ghee lamp (usually five wicks)
» Conch shell (for offering water) with a stand
» Container of water to be offered
» Cloth or handkerchief
» Small plate for flowers
» Lighter or matches (to light the ghee lamp)
» Whisk (camara)
» Bell

In the temple, offerings are made at regulated times each day, and should last for a specific
amount of time. The following table shows the order in which the articles are used/offered and
how they are used/offered. Each item offered is offered (items 3-9) from the ‘top down’ (i.e.
starting from Krishna, then Radha, then Gaura, then Nitai, then parampara, and finally to the
devotees) one after the other.

1. Conch shell blown to announce the beginning of the ceremony

2. Bell rung throughout
3. Incense: seven circles around the whole body
4. Ghee Lamp: four circles to the feet; two to the middle; three to the head; seven to the whole
body
5. Water: three circles to the head; seven to the whole body
6. Cloth: seven circles around the whole body
7. Flowers: seven circles around the whole body
8. Whisk: seven waves to the whole body
9. Peacock Fan: seven waves to the whole body (Summertime only)
10. Conch: blown to announce the end of the ceremony
5.1: Tulasi Worship

Tulasi plants and their leaves are very important in devotional service. Devotees are
recommended to water the Tulasi tree every day and collect the leaves to worship the Lord.
(Srila Prabhupada, SB 3.15.19p)

Why devotees worship Tulasi

Tulasi gets its name from Srimati Tulasi-devi, one of Lord Krishna’s dearmost eternal consorts,
a pure devotee in the form of a gopi, who lives in the spiritual world. The Tulasi plant is a
manifestation or expansion of her.

Because Tulasi is so dear to Krishna, one gains all kinds of benefits by worshiping her. By
attaining her mercy, one can more quickly make spiritual advancement and gain entrance into
the spiritual world.

The glories of Tulasi

“There is no better recipient of charity than a vipra, no better gift than cows, no better tirtha
than the Ganga, and no better leaf than a Tulasi leaf. Whatever one can obtain by offering the
Lord all types of flowers and leaves may be attained by simply offering Him one Tulasi leaf. An
offering of flowers made of gold, jewels, and pearls is not equal to an offering of Tulasi leaves.”

“Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the Tulasi tree, which can immediately vanquish
volumes of sinful activities. Simply by seeing or touching this tree, one can become relieved
from all distresses and diseases. Simply by offering obeisances and pouring water on the Tulasi
tree, one can become freed from the fear of being sent to the court of Yamaraja. If someone
sows a Tulasi tree somewhere, certainly he becomes devoted to Lord Krishna. And when the
Tulasi leaves are offered in devotion at the lotus feet of Krishna, there is the full development
of love of Godhead.” (Skanda Purana, quoted by Srila Rupa Gosvami)

The worship of Lord Narayana is not complete without Tulasi leaves.

Tulasi must be offered to Vishnu-tattva only.

How to worship Tulasi

Tulasi-puja is relatively simple, consisting of only three articles: incense, a ghee lamp, and
flowers. Sooner or later, you will probably get an opportunity to offer puja to Tulasi, so here are
the steps that you need to know:

1. Acamana (purification)
» Take the spoon from the acamana cup and purify both hands by sprinkling water onto them.
» A spoon full into your right palm, chant om keshavaya namah, and sip.
» A spoon full into your right palm, chant om narayanaya namah, and sip.
» A spoon full into your right palm, chant om madhavaya namah, and sip.
2. Offering the incense
» Purify (sprinkle with a spoon full of water) the bell and the incense holder.
» Light the incense.
» Pick up the bell in the left hand; ring the bell throughout the puja.
» Pick up the incense holder in the right hand and offer the incense to Tulasi with seven circles
around her whole form.
» Offer to Srila Prabhupada and then all the devotees.
3. Offering the ghee lamp
» Purify the ghee lamp.
» Light it.
» Offer it to Tulasi: four circles to the base, two to the middle, three to the top, and seven to
the whole.
» Offer to Srila Prabhupada and then all the devotees.
4. Offering the Flowers
» Purify the flowers.
» Offer them to Tulasi with seven circles to the whole form.
» Place one at her base (optional).
» Offer them Srila Prabhupada and then all the devotees.
» Now the puja is complete and you can serve the devotees by assisting them to purify their
hands before watering Tulasi.

Planting, watering, protecting, maintaining, circumambulating, seeing, bowing down to, praying
to, and glorifying are all ways of serving and worshiping Tulasi and are highly beneficial.

Shri Tulasi Pradaksina Mantra

yani kani ca papani brahma-hatyadikani ca

tani tani pranasyanti pradaksinah pade pade

Translation: "By the circumambulation of Srimati Tulasi Devi all the sins that one may have
committed are destroyed at every step, even the sin of killing a brahmana."

Sri Tulasi Pranama

vrndayai tulasi-devyai priyayai kesavasya ca

visnu-bhakti-prade devi satyavatyai namo namah

Translation: "I offer my repeated obeisances unto Vrnda, Srimati Tulasi Devi, who is very dear
to Lord Kesava. O goddess, you bestow devotional service to Lord Krishna and possess the
highest truth."
6: Holy Days and Festivals

Have you ever taken part in a Hare Krishna festival? They are lively and cheerful celebrations
with a fiesta of sound, music, colour, good smells, and activity. Most of these festivals are
based around holy days and traditions going back thousands of years. Festivals often require a
lot of extra endeavour and financing, and take us out of our daily routine.

Different kinds of festivals and holy days:

Appearance of Vishnu-tattva incarnation: Examples: Gaura Purnima, Rama Navami,
Nrsimha Caturdasi, Varaha Dvadasi, Sri Krishna Janmastami, Sri Vamana Dvadasi, Nityananda
Trayodasi
Appearance and dissappearance anniversaries of previous acarya: Examples: Srila
Prabhupada, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, Gaura Kishora Dasa Babaji, Bhaktivinoda Thakura,
Sanatana Goswami, Ramnujacarya, Vrndavana Dasa Thakura, Haridasa Thakura
Others based on the Lord's lila, His associates, etc: Examples: Ratha-yatra, Jhulana Yatra,
Ramacandra Vijayotsava, Dipa dana, Dipavali, Govardhana Puja, Radhastami

6.1: Ekadasi

One has to perform devotional service in full tapasya, austerity. One should fast on the two
Ekadasi days, which fall on the eleventh day of the waxing and waning moon, and on the
birthdays of Lord Krsna, Lord Rama, and Caitanya Mahaprabhu. (SB 3.27.22p) Ekadasi refers to
the eleventh day after the full moon and the new moon (once a fortnight). On these special
days devotees fast and make an extra effort to render devotional service. Observing Ekadasi
increases spiritual advancement. All major religions observe some kind of fasting.

How To Follow Ekadasi

» Fast from grains and pulses (legumes). See below for more details.
» Chant extra rounds (if you are daily chanting 16 rounds than at least 25). Try to do more
[Link] to become more absorbed in hearing, chanting, and devotion to Krishna.
» Bhaktivinoda Thakur said it is a time to step back, get a little out of the normal routine, and
take stock of ones spiritual life.
» Try to rise above the bodily concept; avoid as much as possible any activities relating to the
body (shaving, laundry, going to a doctor, shopping, sleeping).
» Avoid strenuous physical labour. Don’t travel long distances.

The Benefits of Fasting

» It gives one a taste for renunciation, and thus helps one to give up sense gratification.
» Fasting gives the system a rest: The physiological system may become overworked due to a
little overeating or indiscrimination in diet. Fasting gives the system a chance to catch up.
» Fasting helps us practice self-discipline in eating and concentrate more on pleasing God.
» Fasting helps keep the body light and the stomach free so that one can meditate better. The
digestive system draws the blood circulation towards the digestive organs. Therefore blood
circulation to the head is decreased once food is taken: feeling more sleepy, and mental
strength is diminished.
» Helps in controlling of the mind and will.

The Mind, Yogis, and Ekadasi

The Moon is the mind’s presiding deity. It’s waxing and waning has an influence on the mind.
An example of this is how people with unstable minds become disturbed on the full moon and
new moon days. In contrast, during the two Ekadasis, the mind can be more easily
concentrated. Yogis therefore take advantage of these two days by practicing deep meditation.
“One day Shri Caitanya Mahaprabhu fell down at the feet of His mother and requested her to
give Him one thing in charity. His mother replied, ‘My dear son, I will give You whatever You
ask.’ Then the Lord said, ‘My dear mother, please do not eat grains on the Ekadasi day.” (Cc
Adi 15.8-9)
6.2: Serving and Honouring Prasadam

Serving and Honouring Prasadam

Prasadam = The Lord’s Mercy: Food prepared in pure consciousness with pure products and
offered with love to the Lord

The glories of prasadam

» Prasadam is spiritual, not different from Krishna
» Purifies the heart (different levels of potency)
» Frees one from sinful reactions
» Anyone who eats some eventually gets liberation
» We can simply eat our way back to Godhead
» Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Krishna become very pleased when we cook nicely for Them.
» Krishna actually eats the offering
» By eating prasadam, the devotee becomes Krishna-ised
» Connects our eating process to Krishna
» Helps control the tongue
» Protects one from falling into illusion, as opposed to food cooked by non-devotees
» The offering contains love and devotion
» We get benefit through offering, serving and eating it.
» We are not dry renouncers; we can prepare wonderful feasts
» The Lord likes to see His devotees enjoy in a spiritual way.

Prasada sevaya
Recited before taking prasadam

O Lord, this material body is a place of ignorance, and the senses are a network of paths to
death. Somehow, we have fallen into this ocean of material sense enjoyment, and of all the
senses the tongue is most voracious and uncontrollable; it is very difficult to conquer the
tongue in this world. But You, dear Krishna, are very kind to us and have given us such nice
prasada, just to control the tongue. Now we take this prasada to our full satisfaction and glorify
You Lord — Radha and Krishna — and in love call for the help of Lord Caitanya and Nityananda.
(from Saranagati)

Cultural Background
Preparing, serving, and eating prasadam in the association of devotees are integral to
devotional service with roots based in the ancient Vedic culture and the Lord’s pastimes.

» A part of Deity worship (arcanam): Cooking for Krishna is an exact science. Various dishes
are prepared in certain ways because experts in the art have determined that these
preparations are most pleasing to Krishna.
» Trains us for the spiritual world in the correct service attitude of taking pleasure in eating
Krishna’s remnants. The cowherd boys enjoy eating in Krishna’s company and sharing His
remnants.
» In the spiritual world, Radha cooks for Krishna and She never cooks the same preparation
twice. The temple kitchen is understood to belong to Radharani. She is the controller there.
» In Lord Caitanya’s pastimes, the devotees would make kirtana until they were exhausted and
then eat a big feast together with great joy. The Caitanya-caritamrta contains many
descriptions of the food preparations and feasts the devotees used to make. Look in the
Caitanya-caritamrta and find a section where such a feast is described.
Regulations in Serving and Honoring Prasadam

Serving
» Cleanliness and etiquette – use the right hand only when handling utensils
» Be sensitive: give what is wanted
» Be quick: others may be waiting
» Don’t give more than requested
» No mixing: keep the preparations separate

Honouring:
» Should be respected (remember: prasadam is nondifferent from Krishna)
» Don’t criticise prasadam
» Shouldn't be wasted (not one grain)
» Your consciousness also affects how much benefit you get from eating it.
» Srila Prabhupada hardly spoke while eating
» Prayer to spiritual master — start and finish
» Don’t steal from others
» Don’t grab for yourself: serve and be served
» Don’t eat while walking (like an ass)
» Don’t horde prasadam

Be wise
» Take a short walk afterwards or sleep 10 minutes on the left side
» Don’t eat too much
» Take the right balance
» Don’t eat too much in the evening
» Consider regulation and health
7: Preaching

“Preaching is like the head of our Krishna Consciousness Society—if the head is removed, the
whole body dies.” (Srila Prabhupada letter, 3 December 1971)

Missionary work is a very important aspect of the Krishna consciousness movement.

Following the rules and regulations of Krishna conscious practices gives us the purity, the force,
the strength to preach. Now we will look at the process of giving it to others, what preaching
really means, what is the philosophy behind it, and how it should be performed.

Philosophy behind preaching

In today’s culture, preaching is often looked down upon with the attitude: "You can believe
what you like for yourself, but you shouldn’t try to push your beliefs onto someone else".

Preaching is sometimes viewed as foolish, uncultured, or rude. Of course all organisations —

spiritual or not — advertise their goods or services.

Devotees need to have a deeper understanding of the rationale behind preaching, why
preaching is so important, and what the proper attitudes towards preaching are.

One can chant the holy names alone or congregationally, but in this age, chanting
congregationally in the association of devotees is more recommended.

Sankirtana: San = together/congregational; kirtana = chanting.

» Sankirtana includes preaching because without inviting people to take part there is no
question of congregational chanting.
» Lord Caitanya’s mission was to spread congregational chanting of the holy names all over the
world.
» Followers of Lord Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada, follow their example of spreading the
sankirtana movement.
» The purpose of the material world is two-fold
1. To give the living entity a chance to fulfill his material desires and
2. To reform the living beings so they can return to the spiritual world.
» The great desire of the Lord is that all the lost souls come back and be happy with Him. He
descends to the material world Himself, sends His representatives, and establishes the religious
scriptures in order to show the fallen souls the way back to Godhead.
» The devotee who serves the Lord by bringing living entities closer to Him and connecting
them with Him is very dear to the Lord. Such devotees please Krishna the most (There is no
servant inthis world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear. Bhagavad-
gita 18.69). Therefore one gets extra mercy from Krishna. The more you give, the more you
get.
» Spreading Krishna consciousness is real welfare work. People are wasting their lives suffering
in the material world, but just by hearing the holy name or taking a little prasadam, they
become connected to Krishna and the pathway back to Him.
In summary, preaching is one of the best activities for one’s own spiritual advancement, it is
beneficial for others, and it is greatly pleasing to Krishna.

The principles and policies of preaching

What do people think of missionaries and preaching? For many, these words conjure up
negative images of self-righteous, moralising evangelists preaching fire and brimstone and
doomsday. Or perhaps newly converted believers who are naïve, dogmatic, pigheaded, smug,
or condescending. Whatever the case, in today’s world more than ever, preaching (try: "Giving
others the opportunity to receive transcendental knowledge," or "explaining spiritual wisdom,"
or "passing on information about spiritual life".) is an extremely subtle art.
Preaching situations
Consider the situations listed below by asking these three questions for each one:

1. How might the person feel or react?

2. Would this assist them in accepting Krishna consciousness?
3. What principles or policies can be drawn from this?

» The devotee finds out about the person’s beliefs or convictions (religious, scientific, or
general) and forcibly argues against them to show that they are inferior to the Krishna
conscious understanding.
» The devotee finds out about the person’s beliefs or convictions (religious, scientific, or
general) and finds interesting parallels between them and the Krishna conscious understanding.
» The devotee uses the very strong arguments and philosophy of Krishna consciousness to
show how he has better knowledge, arguments, and intelligence.
» The devotee first establishes a friendly relationship with the person and makes him feel
comfortable and at ease. They chat in the beginning about all kinds of ordinary things.
» The devotee makes light of the individual’s views and speaks as if he is superior and knows
everything better.
» The devotee deals with each individual according to his specific case. He finds out why the
person has come to the temple and what it is about Krishna consciousness that interests him.
He then fans the spark of interest.
» The devotee holds an unbroken (unbreakable?) monologue with the individual for 45 minutes.
» The devotee mainly presents these points: no illicit sex, must surrender to Krishna, everyone
is so fallen in maya and rotten, understand the Absolute Truth or you have to suffer in hell.

7.1: Lord Caitanya

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu (1486–1534)

Lord Caitanya vigorously established a lively preaching mission to expand the glories of the holy
names far and wide. Previously, Vaisnavism had always existed, but Lord Caitanya was a
reformer who re-energised the spiritual movement. Here are some of the things He did and
said.

He organised the sankirtana movement

» He ordered Rupa and Sanatana Goswamis to write books and sent them to Vrndavana to
excavate the holy places and establish temples.
» He sent Nityananda Prabhu to Bengal to preach.
» He had His followers go out request everyone to “worship Krishna, chant Krishna, and follow
Krishna’s instructions.”
» He initiated civil disobedience against the Chand Kazi
» He organised big kirtans and prasadam distribution.

He preached by His own example

Wherever He went, He chanted, danced, and spread the holy name
He toured South India for six years and preached to many people along the way.
He preached to the Mayavadis (Prakasananda), Sarvabhauma, Buddhists, Advaitists…

He imparted vital teachings and instructions to the devotees

» Refer to his discussions with Ramananda Raya, Rupa and Sanatana Goswamis.
» He predicted, “My holy name will be preached in every town and village throughout the
world.” (Sri Caitanya Bhagavat);
» He instructed, “Wherever you go, whomever you meet, tell them to follow Krishna’s
instructions. In this way, become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in the land.”
(Cc Mad.7.128)
7.2: After Lord Caitanya

Three selected highlights from the time between Lord Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada

The first book distribution mission

» Rupa, Sanatana, and Jahnavi-devi were concerned about the need for literary support in
Bengal. Jiva arranged the mission.
» Syamananda Pandit, Narottama das Thakura, and Srinivasa Acarya were put in charge of a
chest of holy books written by the Goswamis.
» They placed the chest in a cart pulled by four strong bullocks and took it to Bengal with ten
armed guards escorting them.

Bhaktivinoda Thakura is renowned, among other things, for…

» Re-establishing the respectability of the Vaishnava tradition
» Determining the sites of holy places around Mayapura
» Authoring a large amount of Vaisnava literature
» Strengthening the organisation of the Vaisnava community for the purpose of conducting a
unified preaching effort.

Bhaktisiddhanta expanded the preaching mission even more by…

» Challenging and defeating the influence of the smarta/caste brahmanas
» Challenging and defeating the influence of the Mayavadis
» Establishing the Gaudiya-Matha with temples all over India
» Having sannyasis adopt the principles of yukta-vairagya and preach in the cities
» Sending out brahmacaris on harinam and magazine distribution

7.3: Srila Prabhupada

Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON

Srila Prabhupada’s preaching example is not only interesting to us because he is the founder of
ISKCON, but also because he is the one whose preaching spread Krishna consciousness around
the globe. We will also learn here about how preaching developed within ISKCON after Srila
Prabhupada established it.

Srila Prabhupada
From the time Srila Prabhupada met his spiritual master, he was engaged in the preaching
mission. The following lists some milestones in Srila Prabhupada’s life as a preacher:

» Taking up the mission of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati (Calcutta, 1922)

» Making preaching programmes at home
» Writing, producing and distributing Back To Godhead magazine (started 1944)
» Establishing the League of Devotees at Jhansi
» Writing his books, placing them in shops (bringing them to the President)
» Accepting sannyasa (the renounced order of life) in 1959
» Going to America to preach (Sep 1965)
» Establishing the first temple in New York
» Engaging the hippies in chanting, dancing, eating prasadam, and listening to some philosophy
» First public harinam: Tompkins Square Park
» Establishing further temples around America
» Sending disciples abroad
» Travelling, lecturing, and writing profusely
» Meeting VIPs
» Establishing ISKCON’s infrastructure (GBC, etc.)
» Establishing various ISKCON preaching programmes
ISKCON
» The main methods of preaching for the devotees in the beginning were going on harinam and
inviting people to the sumptuous Sunday Feasts.
» Gradually magazine distribution accompanied all harinams.
» "Krishna Book" first distributed at 1970 Ratha-yatra, San Francisco.
» Devotees found ways to distribute the books, gradually focused more on that, and became
increasingly competent.
» Devotees “discover” the Christmas marathon
» Devotees distribute prasadam and magazines on the subways of New York
» The Radha-Damodara Bus Party
» Improper tactics, attitudes, and methods crept into the preaching practices:
# Too much emphasis on money
# Devotees believed they could do anything to sell books and Krishna would protect
them; “the end justifies the means,” “by hook or by crook.”
# The distributor is always right; who cares what a sinful karmi thinks.
# Lying and trickery
# Being overly pushy, aggressive, and mistreating people
A long journey of learning separates the ISKCON of the 70s from the ISKCON of today. Today,
preachers are far more conscious of the importance of leaving good impressions on people. We
have training for preachers and more mature experienced leaders.
7.4: Family and Friends

Conflict between spiritual and material visions is nothing new: Brahma and the Four Kumaras,
Daksa and Narada Muni, Buddha, Jesus. Such difficulties arise in all cultures and still today,
even in Christianity. Still, when visiting parents and relatives or even old friends, devotees
should bear certain things in mind. Here is a list of important reminders and tips.

» We must always respect our parents and other family members.

» Devotees can speak with them about other things too (not exclusively about Krishna).
» The relationship shouldn’t be disturbed by our involvement in Krishna consiousness. It should
continue just as before.
» When Srila Prabhupada was staying at the Aggrawals, for example, and people would smoke,
he would tell them not to worry about him; he didn’t mind. He didn’t create any trouble for
anyone. He cooked for them. He shared in their joy (the baby standing). He could speak about
mundane things like the vacuum cleaner. He was always very friendly and pleasant to be with.
» We can be patient because we will continue to be their kids for the rest of their lives.
» Try to understand how they may view our acceptance of a devotional life.
» Be careful of the tendency to zealously share your enthusiasm for Krishna Consciousness with
your family or friends. It may not always be appropriate.
» Ease your parents into it gradually. Don’t load everything onto them at once.
» Keep regularly in touch with the parents.
8: Cleanliness and Etiquette

Personal habits
» The mouth is a dirty place (being positioned at one end of the intestines, it is a place where
many germs are found) and therefore one should not suck one’s fingers or pen, or bite one’s
nails, etc. If one does touch one’s mouth then the hands should be washed. Don’t lick things
like stamps and don’t blow out candles, incense sticks, etc. One extinguishes candle flames by
creating a breeze with a hand movement. Also it is a good practice to learn to pour water/juice
into your mouth when you drink, then the cup remains clean, not having touched the lips.
» If you make a mess clean it up, especially in the toilet or washbasin etc. A place should
always be as clean, if not cleaner, after it has been visited by a devotee.
» When you clean anywhere in the temple building try to make the place as clean as glass (see
TQK p.143)
» If someone else leaves a mess then you can clean it up.
» Use the right hand only for eating, chanting rounds, offering and accepting things to and from
others, turning on communal switches, opening doors and using the toilet flush etc. (the left
hand is reserved for cleansing oneself upon passing stool).
» Single men and women should only converse together when it’s necessary for particular
devotional service.
» Do not waste Krishna’s energies such as toothpaste, electricity, water, etc. In fact, if you see
a light or fire left on somewhere turn it off. Once on a morning walk, Srila Prabhupada turned
off a running tap in someone’s garden. Another time when he was ill in Mayapur he rose
especially from his bed to chastise a disciple for leaving a fan on when she left a room for only
5 minutes.
» Do not use your feet to do something that could be done with your hands.
» There is a particular floor cloth for every area. The cloth that is meant for use in the asrama
should not be mixed up with the cloth for the showers, toilets, or stairs.

Sacred items
» Do not touch your foot to anything sacred or use your foot to do something that can be done
with your hand.
» Do not walk over books, devotees, prasada or any sacred articles. To touch someone with
one’s foot is considered offensive. For instance, if you have to walk past seated devotees in the
temple room at class time, extend your right hand to indicate you wish to go by and they will
move their knees to let you pass. If you happen to touch a devotee with your foot you can
touch his body gently with your hand and then touch your head.
» Books, beads, karatalas, etc. should not go on the ground or on one’s seat or bed, nor should
things be put on books (like alarm clocks, karatalas, etc.).
» If a sacred object falls to the floor pick it up and touch it to your head.
» If your japa beads are out of your bag, keep them in a clean place but do not hang them on a
hook. The best is to have two bead bags. When you wash one, you can immediately put the
beads into the other.
» Do not take sacred items into the toilet, e.g. beads, books, Harinam chuddar.
» Respect sacred items. Don’t lean on them or throw them around. Don’t write in books.

Asrama
» Do not take other’s possessions thinking that everything is Krishna’s and therefore everything
is one. This is not our philosophy!
» Do not sleep on your stomach. When sleeping try to face South-East.
» A devotee puts on freshly washed clothes every morning.
» Do not stand in one’s underwear in front of Vaisnavas, or pictures of Krishna or the Guru. The
Lord and His devotee are present in Their pictures and so should be respected accordingly.
Always keep yourself covered with a gamsha.
» Your locker should always be neat and clean (Don’t leave prasada in it or even bring prasada
to your room).
» If you sleep with a bedroll on the floor, roll it up upon rising and wash down the floor area
where you slept.
» Do not leave clothing lying around. Dirty laundry is to be placed in a bag or laundry basket.
» The asrama floor should be washed daily.
» Prasadam should not be taken into the asrama.

Kitchen
» The kitchen is an extension of the altar, so whatever you do in the kitchen should be done
with great care and attention for the Deities.
» Wear only clean, uncontaminated clothes in the kitchen. Clothes that have been eaten in or
worn in the bathroom cannot be used. (Depends on the standards used in the particular
temple.)
» Fingernails should be kept short. Wash your hands upon entering the kitchen before
beginning your service.
» Never enter the kitchen in an unclean state.
» Don’t put anything in your mouth or touch anything to your mouth while in the kitchen. Don’t
rinse your mouth or spit in the kitchen sinks.
» No eating or drinking in the kitchen.
» If you touch the floor, the waste bin or any of the openings of your body, wash your hands
before touching anything else.
» No unnecessary talking in the kitchen, only Krishna katha or something directly related to
what you are doing.
» If you are sick and have a bad cold, you should not work in the kitchen.
» It is important not to enjoy any of the preparations that are being prepared for Krishna’s
enjoyment. You should not smell what is being cooked or even look at it with an enjoying spirit
before it has been offered, what to speak of tasting it.
» Clean up the place you are about to work in and clean it up after you have finished.
» If a vegetable or cooking utensil falls on the floor, wash it off. If it falls on your foot, you may
have to throw it away.
» Women should always keep their hair tied back and covered with a scarf. Men should make
sure that their sikha is knotted.
» Don’t pass air or burp in the kitchen.

Temple
» Never enter the temple in an unclean state.
» Before entering one should ring the bell or knock and chant the names of the Deities.
» One should always pay obeisances when entering or leaving the temple room. Obeisances
should be offered with two hands on the floor, not one.
» Do not talk informally, read or write personal letters in front of the Deities — only devotional
activities such as hearing, chanting, reading and praying, or some important matter related to
the service of the Deity should be carried on in the temple room.
» While sitting do not expose your feet to the Deities or point them at the spiritual master, or
Tulasi devi, etc. Always try to keep them covered.
» Don’t pass air or burp in the temple room.
» Avoid sitting with your back to the Deities, the Vyasasana, Tulasi, or spiritual master.

Bathroom
» Nails should always be clipped short. This should not be done in one’s bedroom but in the
bathroom and the clippings should be flushed away down the toilet or sink, or thrown in the
rubbish bin provided. Evacuating, nail cutting, teeth brushing, shaving, etc., should be done
before showering.
» Devotees prefer to use water than toilet paper. It is much cleaner. Afterwards the hands
should be thoroughly cleaned with soap.
» In the toilets and bathrooms, the devotees should always be dressed in a gamcha.
» Take at least two showers a day (or more if you have to pass stool at another time) — the
early morning shower can be cool to help invigorate the system and should be efficient but
quick (a warm shower should be taken if one is sick). It is also important to take a “mental
bath” by chanting Hare Krishna as one takes one’s physical bath.
» Scrub and file feet whenever necessary (which avoids painful cracks in the heel from
developing)
» Tilak should be applied in all 12 places after showering.
» After doing these activities one is considered unclean and therefore needs to take a shower:
# sleeping more than one hour
# brushing teeth
# shaving
# passing stool
One should also take a shower after returning to the temple from harinam or from hard work
that makes you all sweaty.

Do not worry unduly about all these rules and regulations; soon they will be your second
nature. We all make mistakes in the beginning. Most of what we do is simply common sense. If
anything is not clear or confuses you, please don’t hesitate to ask.