The Holy Name: The Universal and Supreme Religion for this Age
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22 The holy name benefits even lower species of life
All living entities, moving and nonmoving, were liberated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's loud chanting of the holy name: [Lord Caitanya to Haridasa thakura]: "On this earth there are many living entities," the Lord said, "some moving and some not moving. What will happen to the trees, plants, insects and other living entities? How will they be delivered from material […]
18 Chanting of the holy name is the most important element of devotional service
09 Lord Caitanya introduced the maha mantra to counteract the philosophy of impersonalism
16 Chanting of the holy name is the easiest means for spiritual advancement
22 The holy name benefits even lower species of life
All living entities, moving and nonmoving, were liberated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's loud chanting of the holy name:
[Lord Caitanya to Haridasa thakura]: "On this earth there are many living entities," the Lord said, "some moving and some not moving. What will happen to the trees, plants, insects and other living entities? How will they be delivered from material bondage?" Haridasa thakura replied, "My dear Lord, the deliverance of all moving and nonmoving living entities takes place only by Your mercy. You have already granted this mercy and delivered them. You have loudly chanted the Hare Krsna mantra, and everyone, moving or not moving, has benefited by hearing it. My Lord, the moving entities who have heard Your loud sankirtana have already been delivered from bondage to the material world, and after the nonmoving living entities like trees hear it, there is an echo. Actually, however, it is not an echo; it is the kirtana of the nonmoving living entities. All this, although inconceivable, is possible by Your mercy. When loud chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra is performed all over the world by those who follow in Your footsteps, all living entities, moving and nonmoving, dance in ecstatic devotional love. My dear Lord, all the incidents that took place while You were going to Vrndavana through the forest known as Jharikhanda have been related to me by Your servant Balabhadra Bhattacarya. When Your devotee Vasudeva Datta submitted his plea at Your lotus feet for the deliverance of all living entities, You accepted that request. My dear Lord, You have accepted the form of a devotee just to deliver all the fallen souls of this world. You have preached the loud chanting of the Hare Krsna maha mantra and in this way freed all moving and nonmoving living entities from material bondage… By descending as an incarnation at Navadvipa, You, just like Krsna, have already delivered all the living entities of the universe."
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Antya lila 3.67−76, 86
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's pastime of causing the animals of Jharikhanda forest to chant and dance:
When the Lord passed through the solitary forest chanting the holy name of Krsna, the tigers and elephants, seeing Him, gave way. When the Lord passed through the jungle in great ecstasy, packs of tigers, elephants, rhinoceros and boars came, and the Lord passed right through them. Balabhadra Bhattacarya was very much afraid to see them, but by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's influence, all the animals stood to one side. One day a tiger was Iying on the path, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, walking along the path in ecstatic love, touched the tiger with His feet. The Lord said, "Chant the holy name of Krsna!" The tiger immediately got up and began to dance and chant, "Krsna! Krsna!" Another day, while Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was bathing in a river, a herd of maddened elephants came there to drink water. While the Lord was bathing and murmuring the Gayatri mantra, the elephants came before Him. The Lord immediately splashed some water on the elephants and asked them to chant the name of Krsna. The elephants whose bodies were touched by the water splashed by the Lord began to chant, "Krsna! Krsna!" and dance and sing in ecstasy. Some of the elephants fell to the ground, and some screamed in ecstasy. Seeing this, Balabhadra Bhattacarya was completely astonished. Sometimes Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu chanted very loudly while passing through the jungle. Hearing His sweet voice, all the does came near Him. Hearing the Lord's great vibration, all the does followed Him left and right. While reciting a verse with great curiosity, the Lord patted them. "Blessed are all these foolish deer because they have approached the son of Maharaja Nanda, who is gorgeously dressed and is playing on His flute. Indeed, both the does and the bucks worship the Lord with looks of love and affection." While Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was passing through the jungle, five or seven tigers came. Joining the deer, the tigers began to follow the Lord. Seeing the tigers and deer following Him, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu immediately remembered the land of Vrndavana. He then began to recite a verse describing the transcendental quality of Vrndavana. "Vrndavana is the transcendental abode of the Lord. There is no hunger, anger or thirst there. Though naturally inimical, both human beings and fierce animals live together there in transcendental friendship." When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "Chant Krsna! Krsna!" the tigers and deer began to dance and chant, "Krsna!" When all the tigers and does danced and jumped, Balabhadra Bhattacarya saw them and was struck with wonder. Indeed, the tigers and deer began to embrace one another, and, touching mouths, they began to kiss. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw all this fun, He began to smile. Finally He left the animals and continued on His way. Various birds, including the peacock, saw Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and began to follow Him, chanting and dancing. They were all maddened by the holy name of Krsna. When the Lord loudly chanted "Hari bol!" the trees and creepers became jubilant to hear Him. Thus all living entities−some moving and some standing still in the forest of Jharikhanda−became maddened by hearing the holy name of Lord Krsna vibrated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Madhya lila 17.25−46
The loud chanting of the holy name benefits even plants, creepers, and insects:
When the Lord loudly chanted "Hari bol!" the trees and creepers became jubilant to hear Him.
The loud chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra is so powerful that it can even penetrate the ears of trees and creepers−what to speak of animals and human beings. Sri Caitanya once asked Haridasa thakura how trees and plants could be delivered, and Haridasa thakura replied that the loud chanting of the Hare Krsna maha−mantra would benefit not only trees and plants but insects and all other living beings. One should therefore not be disturbed by the loud chanting of Hare Krsna, for it is beneficial not only to the chanter but to everyone who gets an opportunity to hear.
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Madhya lila 17.45
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu caused all moving and nonmoving creatures of Vrndavana to vibrate the holy name:
The Lord's body was restless, and tears, trembling and jubilation were manifest. He said very loudly, "Chant Krsna! Chant Krsna!" All moving and nonmoving creatures then began to vibrate the transcendental sound of Hare Krsna, as if they were echoing the deep sound of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Madhya lila 17.205−6
Not only is the chanter of the holy name purified but all hearers as well, even animals:
Not only is the chanter of the maha−mantra purified, but the heart of anyone who happens to hear the transcendental vibration of
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
is also cleansed. Even the souls embodied in lower animals, insects, trees and other species of life also become purified and prepared to become fully Krsna conscious simply by hearing the transcendental vibration. This was explained by thakura Haridasa when Caitanya Mahaprabhu inquired from him how living entities lower than human beings can be delivered from material bondage. Haridasa thakura said that the chanting of the holy names is so powerful that even if one chants in the remotest parts ofthe jungle, the trees and animals will advance in Krsna consciousness simply by hearing the vibration.
– The Nectar of Instruction Text 4
The loud chanting of the holy name benefits even lower species of life:
Those who are actually servants of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu must seriously distribute this movement all over the world to render the greatest benefit to human society. Of course, animals and other lower species are not capable of understanding this movement, but if even a small number of living beings take it seriously, by their chanting loudly, all living entities, including even trees, animals and other lower species, will be benefited. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu inquired from Haridasa thakura how he was to benefit living entities other than humans, Srila Haridasa thakura replied that the Hare Krsna maha−mantra is so potent that if it is chanted loudly, everyone will benefit, including the lower species of life.
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Adi 9.39
One can show mercy to all living entities (even animals and plants) by loudly chanting the maha−mantra:
[Narada Muni to the Pracetas]: By showing mercy to all living entities, being satisfied somehow or other and controlling the senses from sense enjoyment, one can very quickly satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Janardana.
The word sarva−bhutesu is significant because it applies not only to human beings but to all the living entities appearing in the 8,400,000 species of life. The devotee can do good not only to humanity but to all living entities as well. Everyone can benefit spiritually by the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha−mantra. When the transcendental vibration of Hare Krsna is sounded, even the trees, animals and insects benefit. Thus when one chants the Hare Krsna maha−mantra loudly, he actually shows mercy to all living entities.
– Srimad Bhagavatam 4.31.19
18 Chanting of the holy name is the most important element of devotional service
The most important item in the execution of devotional service is the chanting of the holy name:
Then the Bhattacarya asked Caitanya Mahaprabhu: "Which item is the 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. There are nine items to be executed in devotional service. These are enumerated in the following verse from Srimad−Bhagavatam (7.5.23):
sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada−sevanam
arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyam atma−nivedanam
Hearing the glories of the Lord, chanting, remembering, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering worship in the temple, offering prayers, becoming a servant of the Lord, becoming the Lord's friend, and sarvatma−nivedana, offering oneself fully at the lotus feet of the Lord−these are the nine devotional processes. In The Nectar of Devotion, these are expanded into sixty−four items. When Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya asked the Lord which item was most important, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu immediately answered that the most important item is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Madhya lila 6.241
Of the nine processes of devotional service, chanting the holy name is the most important:
[Lord Caitanya to Sanatana Gosvami]: "Among the ways of executing devotional service, the nine prescribed methods are the best, for these processes have great potency to deliver Krsna and ecstatic love for Him. Of the nine processes of devotional service, the most important is to always chant the holy name of the Lord. If one does so, avoiding the ten kinds of offenses, one very easily obtains the most valuable love of Godhead."
Srila Jiva Gosvami Prabhu gives the following directions in his Bhakti−sandarbha (270)
iyam ca kirtanakhya bhaktir
bhagavato dravya−jati−guna−kriyabhir dina−
janaika−visayapara−karuna−mayiti
sruti−puranadi−visrutih. ata eva kalau
svabhavata evatidinesu lokesv avirbhuya
tan anayasenaiva tat−tad−yuga−gata−
maha−sadhananam sarvam eva phalam
dadana sa krtarthayati. yata eva tayaiva
kalau bhagavato visesatas ca santoso bhavati.
"Chanting the holy name is the chief means of attaining love of Godhead. This chanting or devotional service does not depend on any paraphernalia, nor on one's having taken birth in a good family. By humility and meekness one attracts the attention of Krsna. That is the verdict of all the Vedas. Therefore if one becomes very humble and meek, he can easily attain the lotus feet of Krsna in this age of Kali. That is the fulfillment of all great sacrifices, penances and austerities because when one achieves ecstatic love of Godhead, he attains the complete perfection of life.Therefore whatever one does in executing devotional service must be accompanied with the chanting of the holy name of the Lord."
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Antya lila 4.70−71
Of the nine processes of devotional service, hearing and chanting the maha−mantra is the most important:
In the bhakti−yoga system there are nine different processes: hearing, chanting, remembering, serving, worshiping the Deity in the temple, praying, carrying out orders, serving Krsna as a friend and sacrificing for Him. Out of these, sravanam kirtanam, hearing and chanting, are considered the most important. At a public kirtana one person can chant
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
while a group listens, and at the end of the mantra, the group can respond, and in this way there is a reciprocation of hearing and chanting.
– The Perfection of Yoga
Hearing of the holy name of the Lord (sravana) is the basis for understanding the other processes of devotional service:
[Prahlada Maharaja to Hiranyakasipu]: Prahlada Maharaja said: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Visnu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one's best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (In other words, serving Him with the body, mind and words)−these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service. One who has dedicated his life to the service of Krsna through these nine methods should be understood to be the most learned person, for he has acquired complete knowledge.
Hearing of the holy name of the Lord (sravana) is the beginning of devotional service. Although any one of the nine processes is sufficient, in chronological order the hearing of the holy name of the Lord is the beginning. Indeed, it is essential… Unless one hears about the holy name, form and qualities of the Lord, one cannot clearly understand the other processes of devotional service. Therefore Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommends that one chant the holy name of Krsna. Param vijayate sri−krsna−sankirtanam. If one is fortunate enough to hear from the mouth of realized devotees, he is very easily successful on the path of devotional service. Therefore hearing of the holy name, form and qualities of the Lord is essential.
– Srimad Bhagavatam 7.5.23−24
All processes of devotional service must be preceded and followed by kirtana, which is the most important process:
[Lord Caitanya to Satyaraja]: "… One can complete the nine processes of devotional service simply by chanting the holy name."
The nine devotional processes such as sravana and kirtana can all be attained at once if one simply chants the holy name of the Lord offenselessly. In this regard, Srila Jiva Gosvami states in his book Bhakti−sandarbha (173): yadyapy anya bhaktih kalau kartavya, tada kirtanakhya−bhakti−samyogenaiva. Out of the nine processes of devotional service, kirtana is very important. Srila Jiva Gosvami therefore instructs that the other processes, such as arcana, vandana, dasya and sakhya, should be executed, but they must be preceded and followed by kirtana, the chanting of the holy name. We have therefore introduced this system in all of our centers. Arcana, arati, bhoga offering, Deity dressing and decoration are all preceded and followed by the chanting of the holy name of the Lord−
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Madhya lila 15.107
Chanting of the holy name is one of the five most important practices of devotional service:
[Lord Caitanya to Sanatana Gosvami]: "One should associate with devotees, chant the holy name of the Lord, hear Srimad−Bhagavatam, reside at Mathura and worship the Deity with faith and veneration. These live limbs of devotional service are the best of all. Even a slight performance of these five awakens love for Krsna."
In the Bhakti−rasamrta−sindhu, Srila Rupa Gosvami states:
anganam pancakasyasya purva−vilikhitasya ca
nikhila−sraisthya−bodhaya punar apy atra samsanam
"The glorification of these five items [association with devotees, chanting the holy name and so on] is to make known the complete superiority of these five practices of devotional service."
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Madhya lila 22.128−29
09 Lord Caitanya introduced the maha mantra to counteract the philosophy of impersonalism
Lord Caitanya introduced the maha−mantra to counteract the philosophy of impersonalism:
[Lord Caitanya to Prakasananda Sarasvati]: "The Mayavada philosophy is so degraded that it has taken the insignificant living entities to be the Lord, the Supreme Truth, thus covering the glory and supremacy of the Absolute Truth with monism."
Sripada Sankaracarya purposely claimed the jiva−tattva, or living entities, to be equal to the Supreme God. Therefore his entire philosophy is based on a misunderstanding, and it misguides people to become atheists whose mission in life is unfulfilled. The mission of human life, as described in Bhagavad−gita, is to surrender unto the Supreme Lord and become His devotee, but the Mayavada philosophy misleads one to defy the existence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and pose oneself as the Supreme Lord. Thus it has misguided hundreds and thousands of innocent men…the Mayavada philosophy, misguiding people by claiming the living entity to be the Lord, has created havoc throughout the entire world and led almost everyone to godlessness. By thus covering the glories of the Supreme Lord, the Mayavadi philosophers have done the greatest disservice to human society. It is to counteract these most abominable activities of the Mayavadi philosophers that Lord
Caitanya has introduced the Hare Krsna maha mantra.
harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha
[Adi 17.21]
"In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is chanting the holy name of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way."
People should simply engage in the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha mantra, for thus they will gradually come to understand that they are not the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as they have been taught by the Mayavadi philosophers, but are eternal servants of the Lord. As soon as one engages himself in the transcendental service of the Lord, he becomes free.
mam ca yo 'vyabhicarena bhakti−yogena sevate
sa gunan samatityaitan brahma−bhuyaya kalpate
"One who engages in full devotional service, who does not fall down in any circumstances, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman." (Bg. 14.26)
Therefore the Hare Krsna movement or Krsna consciousness movement is the only light for the foolish living entities who think either that there is no God or that if God exists He is formless and they themselves are also God. These misconceptions are very dangerous, and the only way to counteract them is to spread the Hare Krsna movement.
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Adi lila 7.120
16 Chanting of the holy name is the easiest means for spiritual advancement
Chanting Hare Krsna is the easiest means of self realization:
Krsna says that out of many thousands of people, one may try to make perfection of this life; and out of many millions of such persons on the path of perfection, only one may understand Krsna. So understanding Krsna is not very easy. But it is also the easiest. It is not easy, but at the same time it is the easiest. It is the easiest if you follow the prescribed forms.
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu has introduced this chanting of Hare Krsna. He has not exactly introduced it; it is in the scriptures. But He has especially propagated this formula. In this age this is the easiest method of self realization. Simply chant Hare Krsna. It can be done by everyone. In my classroom, I am perhaps the only Indian. My students are all Americans, and they are taking part in the chanting very nicely, chanting and dancing. That means that, in any country, in any place, this can be performed. Therefore it is the easiest. You may not understand the philosophy of the Bhagavad−gita. That is also not very difficult; but still, if you think that you cannot understand, you can still chant very easily: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna.
If we want to understand God, Krsna, this is the beginning. The easiest beginning−simply chanting. Now, there are many students of my ISKCON institution. This institution is open a little over a year; but some of the students, by simply chanting, by the grace of Krsna, have advanced in such a way that they can talk about the science of God, and they will very easily answer those human questions. So, this is the easiest method of transcendental meditation.
Krsna says that out of many millions of people, one may understand Him. But, by chanting of this Hare Krsna, as introduced by Lord Caitanya−chanting and dancing−you can understand Krsna within a very short time.
– The Path of Perfection
In Kali yuga, chanting of Hare Krsna is the simplest means to perfection:
In Satya−yuga meditation was the main process, and great munis meditated for periods extending upward of 60,000 years. In this age, however, perfection by that means of meditation is not possible because we are so short−lived. Consequently in this age it is especially recommended that we all sit down together and chant Hare Krsna. It is very easy, and everyone can take part in it. There is no necessity of education, nor are any previous qualifications required. In this age people are also very slow and unfortunate, and they are contaminated with bad association. Caitanya Mahaprabhu introduced the chanting of
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
as a great means of propaganda for spreading love of God.
– Elevation to Krsna Consciousness
Spiritual perfection is very easily attained through the process of chanting Hare Krsna:
The bhakti−yoga process should be completed in this life, because in this life we have all the instruments necessary to become fully Krsna conscious. We have mrdangas and cymbals and tongues with which to chant Hare Krsna. Even if we don't have mrdangas and cymbals, we have a tongue. No one has to purchase a tongue. We also have ears with which to hear the sound that the tongue vibrates. Therefore we have all the instruments we need with us−a tongue and ears. We have only to chant Hare Krsna and use our ears to hear this vibration, and all perfection will be there. We don't have to become highly educated scientists or philosophers. We have only to chant and hear.
– The Path of Perfection
The easiest means of achieving spiritual success is to chant the holy names of the Lord:
[Sukadeva Gosvami to King Pariksit]: What is the value of a prolonged life which is wasted, inexperienced by years in this world? Better a moment of full consciousness, because that gives one a start in searching after his supreme interest. Srila Sukadeva Gosvami instructed Maharaja Pariksit about the importance of the chanting of the holy name of the Lord by every progressive gentleman. In order to encourage the King, who had only seven remaining days of life, Srila Sukadeva Gosvami asserted that there is no use in living hundreds of years without any knowledge of the problems of life−better to live for a moment with full consciousness of the supreme interest to be fulfilled. The supreme interest of life is eternal, with full knowledge and bliss. Those who are bewildered by the external features of the material world and are engaged in the animal propensities of the eat−drink−and−be−merry type of life are simply wasting their lives by the unseen passing away of valuable years. We should know in perfect consciousness that human life is bestowed upon the conditioned soul to achieve spiritual success, and the easiest possible procedure to attain this end is to chant the holy name of the Lord… One should, therefore, utilize one's life in glorifying the Lord by all means, without any offense. Such activity of life, even for a moment, is never to be compared to a prolonged life of ignorance, like the lives of the tree and other living entities who may live for thousands of years without prosecuting spiritual advancement.
– Srimad Bhagavatam 2.1.12
Krsna consciousness is a simple process, based upon chanting the holy name:
Krsna consciousness is … a very simple process. It is not necessary to become a great philosopher, scientist, or whatever. We need only chant the holy name of the Lord, understanding that His personality, His name, and His qualities are all absolute.
– The Science of Self Realization
If one chants even for one week, he will make solid progress in spiritual life:
If one takes to Caitanya Mahaprabhu's method, chanting Hare Krsna, the first installment of gain will be ceto−darpana−marjanam: [Cc. Antya 20.12] all the dirty things will be cleansed from the heart simply by chanting. Chant. There is no expenditure, and there is no loss. If one simply chants for one week, he will see how much he will progress in spiritual knowledge.
– The Science of Self Realization
Chanting produces immediate effects:
"'… Simply by touching the holy name with one's tongue, immediate effects are produced…'"
¯Padyavali (24), by Rupa Gosvami
¯ [cited: Sri Caitanya−caritamrta Madhya−lila 15.110]
Simply by keeping a picture of Lord Caitanya and chanting Hare Krsna, one can worship God and realize Him:
In the Srimad−Bhagavatam it is said that [Lord Caitanya] is the incarnation of God in this age. And who worships Him? The process is very simple. Just keep a picture of Lord Caitanya with His associates. Lord Caitanya is in the middle, accompanied by His principal associates−Nityananda, Advaita, Gadadhara, and Srivasa. One simply has to keep this picture. One can keep it anywhere. It is not that one has to come to us to see this picture. Anyone can have this picture in his home, chant this Hare Krsna mantra, and thus worship Lord Caitanya. That is the simple method. But who will capture this simple method? Those who have good brains. Without much bother, if one simply keeps a picture of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu at home and chants Hare Krsna, then one will realize God. Anyone can adopt this simple method. There is no expenditure, there is no tax, nor is there any need to build a very big church or temple. Anyone, anywhere, can sit down on the road or beneath a tree and chant the Hare Krsna mantra and worship God. Therefore it is a great opportunity.
– The Science of Self Realization
From Haridasa thakura's personal example we can understand that becoming highly elevated in Krsna consciousness by chanting the holy name is very simple:
Haridasa thakura constructed a cottage in a solitary forest. There he planted a tulasi plant, and in front of the tulasi he would chant the holy name of the Lord 300,000 times daily. He chanted throughout the entire day and night.
The village of Benapola is situated in the district of Yasohara, which is now in Bangladesh. Benapola is near the Banagano station, which is at the border of Bangladesh and may be reached by the eastern railway from Sealdah Station in Calcutta. Haridasa thakura, being the acarya of chanting the Hare Krsna maha−mantra, is called Namacarya Haridasa thakura. From his personal example we can understand that chanting the Hare Krsna mantra and becoming highly elevated in Krsna consciousness is very simple. Without difficulty one can sit down anywhere, especially on the bank of the Ganges, Yamuna or any sacred river, devise a sitting place or cottage, plant a tulasi, and before the tulasi chant the Hare Krsna maha−mantra undisturbed. Haridasa thakura used to chant the holy name on his beads 300,000 times daily. Throughout the entire day and night, he would chant the sixteen names of the Hare Krsna maha−mantra. One should not, however, imitate
Haridasa thakura, for no one else can chant the Hare Krsna maha−mantra 300,000 times a day. Such chanting is for the mukta−purusa, or liberated soul. We can follow his example, however, by chanting sixteen rounds of the Hare Krsna maha−mantra on beads every day and offering respect to the tulasi plant. This is not at all difficult for anyone, and the process of chanting the Hare Krsna maha−mantra with a vow before the tulasi plant has such great spiritual potency that simply by doing this one can become spiritually strong. Therefore we request the members of the Hare Krsna movement to follow Haridasa thakura's example rigidly. Chanting sixteen rounds does not take much time, nor is offering respects to the tulasi plant difficult. The process has immense spiritual potency. One should not miss this opportunity.
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Antya lila 3.100
