02 The krsna consciousness movement and the propagation of the holy name
Following in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila Prabhupada distributed the maha mantra freely in the West:
Among His own associates, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu laughingly said, "I came here to sell My emotional ecstatic love. Although I came to Varanasi to sell My goods, there were no customers, and it appeared necessary for Me to carry them back to My own country. All of you were feeling unhappy that no one was purchasing My goods and that I would have to carry them away. Therefore, by your will only, I have distributed them without charging."
When we began distributing the message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the Western countries, a similar thing happened. In the beginning we were very disappointed for at least one year because no one came forth to help this movement, but by the grace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, some young boys joined this movement in 1966. Of course we distributed Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's message of the Hare Krsna maha mantra without bargaining or selling. As a result, this movement has spread all over the world, with the assistance of European and American boys and girls. We therefore pray for all the blessings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu upon all the devotees in the Western world who are spreading this movement.
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Madhya lila 25.168−70
The sankirtana movement was begun in the West when Srila Prabhupada began to chant in Tompkins Square Park in New York in 1966:
Lord Caitanya predicted:
prthivite ache yata nagaradi grama
sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama
"In all the villages and towns all over the world, everywhere, this sankirtana movement will be preached."
This is His prediction. So by the grace of Lord Caitanya, this movement is already introduced in the Western countries, beginning from New York. Our sankirtana movement was first introduced in New York in 1966. At that time I came and began to chant this Hare Krsna mantra in Tompkins Square. I was chanting there for three hours with a small mrdanga (drum), and these American boys assembled and gradually joined, and so it is increasing. First of all it was started in a New York storefront, 26 Second Avenue, then we started our branches in San Francisco, Montreal, Boston, Los Angeles, Buffalo, Columbus. We now [1970] have twenty−four branches, including one in London and one in Hamburg. In London they are all American boys and girls, and they are preaching. They are not sannyasis, nor are they Vedantists, nor Hindus, nor Indians, but they have taken this movement very seriously. Even in the London Times there was an article headlined, "Krsna Chant Startles London." So we have many in the movement now.
– The Science of Self Realization
In pursuance of the order of Lord Caitanya, ISKCON is trying to introduce the chanting of Hare Krsna throughout the world:
[Lord Caitanya] started this mass sankirtana movement, which is conducted without discrimination. He predicted that this sankirtana movement would be spread all over the world and that the Hare Krsna mantra would be chanted in every village and town on the surface of the globe. In pursuance of the order of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, following in His footsteps, we are trying to introduce this sankirtana movement, chanting Hare Krsna, and it is proving very successful everywhere. I am preaching especially in foreign countries, all over Europe, America, Japan, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, etc. I have introduced this sankirtana movement, and now we have centers around the world. All eighty centers are being received with great enthusiasm. I have not imported these boys and girls from India, but they are taking this movement very seriously because it appeals to the soul directly.
– Krsna Consciousness: The Topmost Yoga System
The Krsna consciousness movement is distributing the Hare Krsna maha mantra all over the world, following in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu:
In this way Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu contributed the greatest benefit to the people of East Bengal by initiating them into harinama, the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha mantra, and making them learned scholars by educating them.
Following in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Krsna consciousness movement is distributing the Hare Krsna maha mantra and inducing people all over the world to chant. We are giving people an immense treasury of transcendental literature, translated into all the important languages of the world, and by the grace of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu this literature is selling profusely, and people are chanting the Hare Krsna maha mantra with great delight. This is the preaching process of the Caitanya cult. Since the Lord wanted this cult preached all over the world, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness is acting in a humble way so that the vision of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu may be fulfilled all over the world, especially in the Western countries.
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Adi lila 16.19
Lord Caitanya's request to chant the holy name is now extended to everyone in the world through the Krsna consciousness movement:
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then glanced with mercy at the Muhammadan governor. Giving him assurance, He asked him to chant the holy names Krsna and Hari.
It is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mercy that He advises everyone−even candalas, mlecchas and yavanas−to chant the holy name of the Lord. In other words, one who has taken to chanting the holy names Krsna and Hari has already received Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mercy. The Lord's request to chant the holy name of Krsna is now extended to everyone in the world through this Krsna consciousness movement. Whoever follows Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's instructions will certainly be purified.
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Madhya lila 16.187
The members of the Krsna consciousness movement should follow in the footsteps of Narada Muni by chanting Hare Krsna for their own benefit and for the benefit of all fallen souls:
[Sukadeva Gosvami to King Pariksit]: The seven musical notes−sa, r, ga, ma, pa, dha and ni−are used in musical instruments, but originally they come from the Sama Veda. The great sage Narada vibrates sounds describing the pastimes of the Supreme Lord. By such transcendental vibrations, such as
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
he fixes his mind at the lotus feet of the Lord. Thus he directly perceives Hrsikesa, the master of the senses. After delivering the Haryasvas, Narada Muni continued traveling throughout the planetary systems, his mind always fixed at the lotus feet of the Lord.
Lord Brahma is the guru of Narada Muni, who is the guru of Vyasadeva, and Vyasadeva is the guru of Madhvacarya. Thus the Gaudiya−Madhva−sampradaya is in the disciplic succession from Narada Muni. The members of this disciplic succession−in other words, the members of the Krsna consciousness movement−should follow in the footsteps of Narada Muni by chanting the transcendental vibration
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
They should go everywhere to deliver the fallen souls by vibrating the Hare Krsna mantra, and the instructions of Bhagavad gita, Srimad Bhagavatam and Caitanya caritamrta. That will please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One can spiritually advance if one actually follows the instructions of Narada Muni. If one pleases Narada Muni, then the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hrsikesa, is also pleased (yasya prasadad bhagavat prasadah ).
– Srimad Bhagavatam 6.5.22
So that the minds of the people in general may be cleansed, the Krsna consciousness movement is chiefly engaged in chanting the Hare Krsna mantra all over the world:
Material existence is caused by dirty things within the mind. If one can cleanse his mind, he immediately comes to his original position of Krsna consciousness, and thus his life becomes successful. Therefore all the great saints in the devotional line very strongly recommend the process of hearing. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu introduced the congregational chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra to give everyone a chance to hear Krsna's holy name, for simply by hearing
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
one becomes purified (ceto−darpana−marjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]). Therefore our Krsna consciousness movement is chiefly engaged in chanting the Hare Krsna mantra all over the world.
– Srimad Bhagavatam 5.18.11
The Krsna consciousness movement is especially meant for propagating the Hare Krsna mantra:
In order to get freed from the material disease, one must take to the chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra. The Krsna consciousness movement is especially meant for creating an atmosphere in which people can take to the chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra. One must begin with faith, and when this faith is increased by chanting, a person can become a member of the Society.
– The Nectar of Instruction Text 7
The Krsna consciousness movement is simply requesting people to chant Hare Krsna:
Our Krsna consciousness movement is simply requesting people, "Chant Hare Krsna." There was a cartoon in some newspaper that depicted an old lady and her husband sitting face to face. The lady is requesting her husband, "Chant, chant, chant." And the husband is answering, "Can't, can't, can't." So in this same way, we are requesting everyone, "Please chant, chant, chant." But they are replying, "Can't, can't, can't." This is their misfortune. Still, it is our duty to make all such unfortunate creatures fortunate. That is our mission. Therefore we go into the street and chant. Although they say, "Can't," we go on chanting.
– Teachings of Queen Kunti
The devotees publicly preach the importance of the Hare Krsna mantra:
However one is situated, one should have the determination to go out and preach Krsna consciousness. That endeavor should at least be there, and one who so attempts to preach renders the best service to the Lord. Despite opposition, one should attempt to elevate people to the highest standard of self−realization. One who has actually seen the truth, who is in the trance of self−realization, cannot just sit idly. He must come out. Ramanujacarya, for instance, declared the Hare Krsna mantra publicly. He did not distribute it secretly for some fee. Recently, an Indian yogi came to America to give some "private mantra." But if a mantra has any power, why should it be private? If a mantra is powerful, why should it not be publicly declared so that everyone can take advantage of it? We are saying that this Hare Krsna maha mantra can save everyone, and we are therefore distributing it publicly, free of charge. The devotees are preaching without charge, declaring in the streets, parks, and everywhere, "Here! Here is the Hare Krsna maha mantra. Come on, take it!"
– The Path of Perfection
It is a preacher's duty to induce the nondevotees to chant the Hare Krsna maha mantra:
From that moment when the Mayavadi sannyasis heard the explanation of Vedanta−sutra from the Lord, their minds changed, and on the instruction of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, they too chanted, "Krsna! Krsna!" always. Thus Lord Caitanya excused all the offenses of the Mayavadi sannyasis and very mercifully blessed them with krsna−nama.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the mercy incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is addressed by Srila Rupa Gosvami as maha−vadanyavatara, or the most magnanimous incarnation. Srila Rupa Gosvami also says, karunayavatirnah kalau: it is only by His mercy that He has descended in this age of Kali. Here this is exemplified. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not like to see Mayavadi sannyasis because He thought of them as offenders to the lotus feet of Krsna, but here He excuses them (tan−sabara ksami' aparadha). This is an example in preaching. Apani acari' bhakti−sikhaimu sabare. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu teaches us that those whom preachers meet are almost all offenders who are opposed to Krsna consciousness, but it is a preacher's duty to convince them of the Krsna consciousness movement and then induce them to chant the Hare Krsna maha mantra. Our propagation of the sankirtana movement is continuing, despite many opponents, and people are taking this chanting process even in remote parts of the world like Africa. By inducing the offenders to chant the Hare Krsna mantra, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu exemplified the success of the Krsna consciousness movement. We should follow very respectfully in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya, and there is no doubt that we shall be successful in our attempts.
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Adi lila 7.149−50
The Krsna consciousness movement is meant to give the proper medicine for the conditioned souls the Hare Krsna mantra:
The word dharma means "duty." Although the word dharma is often translated as "religion" and religion is generally defined as a kind of faith, dharma is not in fact a kind of faith. Dharma means one's actual constitutional duty. It is one's duty to know the needs of the soul, but unfortunately we have no information of the soul and are simply busy supplying the necessities for bodily comfort.
Bodily comfort, however, is not enough. Suppose a man is very comfortably situated. Does it mean he will not die? Of course not. We speak of a struggle for existence and survival of the fittest, but bodily comforts alone cannot enable anyone to exist or survive permanently. Therefore, taking care of the body only is called dharmasya glanih, or pollution of one's duty.
One must know the necessities of the body and also the necessities of the soul. The real necessity in life is to supply the comforts of the soul, and the soul cannot be comforted by material adjustments. Because the soul is a different identity, the soul must be given spiritual food, and that spiritual food is Krsna consciousness. When one is diseased, he must be given the proper diet and the proper medicine. Both are required. If he is simply given medicine but not a proper diet, the treatment will not be very successful. Therefore the Krsna consciousness movement is meant to give both the proper medicine and the proper diet for the soul. The diet is krsna−prasada, food that has first been offered to Krsna, and the medicine is the Hare Krsna mantra.
– Teachings of Queen Kunti
The medicine of the maha mantra is delivering thousands of Jagais and Madhais:
Narottama dasa thakura sings: hari hari viphale janama gonainu: "My dear Lord Krsna, I have simply wasted my time." Why?
manusya−janama paiya,
radha−krsna na bhajiya,
janiya suniya visa khainu
"Because I have received the human form of life, which is meant for understanding Krsna, yet I have simply wasted my time by not taking advantage of this opportunity. I have done everything but worship Radha−Krsna. Therefore I have taken poison knowingly."
When one takes poison knowingly, he commits suicide, and not taking advantage of the human form is something like that. If we do not understand Krsna in this life, we are knowingly taking poison. This material life is just like a blazing forest fire. Eating, sleeping, enjoying sex and defending are the main material activities. When we are engaged simply in these things, our hearts are always burning as if we had taken poison. How can we be cured?
golokera prema−dhana,
hari−nama−sankirtana,
rati na janmilo kene taya
"My dear Lord, You have given us the medicine of hari−nama−sankirtana, the chanting of Hare Krsna. Unfortunately, I have no attraction for Your holy names."
It is also stated:
vrajendra−nandana jei,
saci−suta hoilo sei,
balarama hoilo nitai
"Krsna has now come as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the son of mother Saci. And Balarama has come as Lord Nityananda."
What is Their business? They are delivering all kinds of sinful men simply by chanting Hare Krsna. And what is the evidence of this? The evidence is that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu delivered the sinful Jagai and Madhai. At the present moment everyone is like Jagai and Madhai, for everyone is intoxicated and mad after sex. Now, by the grace of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, thousands of Jagais and Madhais are being delivered. It is this active medicine, this Hare Krsna maha mantra, that is doing it. It is the perfect yoga system.
– Teachings of Lord Kapila, the Son of Devahuti
The holy name is so powerful that even today, wherever ISKCON preachers go, people begin chanting Hare Krsna:
As previously stated, all the residents of the villages visited by Lord Caitanya became Vaisnavas and began to chant Hari and Krsna. In this way, in all the villages visited by the Lord, everyone became a Vaisnava, a devotee.
The holy names of Krsna and Hari, or the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha mantra, are so spiritually powerful that even today, as our preachers go to remote parts of the world, people immediately begin chanting Hare Krsna. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. There cannot be anyone who can compare to Him or His potencies. However, because we are following in His footsteps and are also chanting the Hare Krsna maha mantra, the effect is almost as potent as during the time of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Our preachers mainly belong to European and American countries, yet by the grace of Lord Caitanya they have tremendous success wherever they go to open branches. Indeed, everywhere people are very seriously chanting
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Madhya lila 9.7−8
Wherever they go, devotees infuse the place with Krsna consciousness by chanting Hare Krsna:
When devotees meet in a place where there is no Krsna consciousness, there is no harm, for they take the opportunity to chant Hare Krsna and infuse the place with Krsna consciousness. This opportunity should always be taken. It is not that one should close himself up in a room and chant alone. The great sage Narada is a spaceman who travels all over the universe. Although he can dwell in the most elevated planets, he sometimes goes to hell and preaches there. That is the beauty of a servant of God−he is always acting out of love for Krsna and His parts and parcels.
– The Science of Self Realization
The chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra is the best means for infusing spiritual consciousness into people's hearts:
My dear Professor Staal: I thank you very much for your kind letter dated January 23, 1970. In the last paragraph of your letter you have mentioned that you are not irritated at the chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra (like some people), but rather like it. This has given me much satisfaction, and I am sending herewith a copy of our magazine, Back to Godhead, issue number 28, in which you will find how the students [at a program at Ohio State University] liked this chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra, although all of them were neophytes to this cult of chanting. Actually this chanting is very pleasing to the heart and is the best means of infusing spiritual consciousness, or Krsna consciousness, into the hearts of people in general.
– The Science of Self Realization
Unlike some modern so called yogis, we do not keep the Hare Krsna mantra a "secret" or charge money for it:
One who has actually seen the truth, who is in the trance of self realization, cannot just sit idly. He must come out. Ramanujacarya, for instance, declared the Hare Krsna mantra publicly. He did not distribute it secretly for some fee. Recently, an Indian yogi came to America to give some "private mantra." But if a mantra has any power, why should it be private? If a mantra is powerful, why should it not be publicly declared so that everyone can take advantage of it? We are saying that this Hare Krsna maha mantra can save everyone, and we are therefore distributing it publicly, free of charge. But in this age, people are so foolish that they are not prepared to accept it. Rather, they hanker after some secret mantra and therefore pay some "yogi" thirty five dollars or whatever for some "private mantra." This is because people want to be cheated. But the devotees are preaching without charge, declaring in the streets, parks, and everywhere, "Here! Here is the Hare Krsna maha mantra. Come on, take it!" But under the spell of maya, illusion, people are thinking, "Oh, this is not good." But if you charge something and bluff and cheat people, they will follow you.
– The Path of Perfection
ISKCON has established its spiritual communities to give everyone a chance to chant the Hare Krsna mantra:
"Simply by chanting this Hare Krsna mantra one can become liberated and go back to Godhead."
This is practical and authorized, and one can also test himself to see how he is advancing simply by chanting. This Krsna consciousness movement is not something new, something that we have introduced or manufactured. It is authorized on the Vedic principles, authorized by acaryas like Caitanya Mahaprabhu and others. And the method is very simple; there is no loss. We are not charging anything, we are not asking for fees and giving the people some secret mantra and promising them that within six months they will become God. No. This is open for everyone children, women, girls, boys, old people everyone can chant and see the results.
To further this end we not only are establishing New Vrndavana, our farm project in West Virginia, but we are establishing other spiritual communities, such as New Navadvipa and New Jagannatha Puri.
– The Science of Self Realization
