Recently there was quite uproar at a prominent public figure admitting to an illicit affair. The outcry was not really directed at the illicit affair - in fact there were quite a few indulgent winks and understanding nods for that. What really upset the public were the initial denials of the affair by the person. The people were angry and hurt by the fact that they had been lied to.

There are four legs or supports of religion. They are austerity, purity, mercy and truthfulness. With the progress of time, purity, mercy and austerity have greatly diminished. The first to go was austerity or voluntarily accepting physical and mental hardships for a higher purpose. Purity, which is manifested by conducting all activities according to the strict codes of morality was next to go. With an increase in aggression against animals and fellow humans, the quality of mercy declined. The only remaining leg of religion is honesty. It is the last refuge of religion and must be never violated. In the incident described above people were outraged since honesty, the only remaining leg of religion, was corrupted.

Honesty is the essential basis of all our dealings, whether it is with friends, relatives, strangers or with God. It is the only thread that is keeping the fabric of civilization from falling apart. It is the basis of any spiritual advancement we can aspire to make. In the previous ages, aspiring spiritualists would undertake severe austerities, extended meditation, chant intricate and exotic mantras (hymns) or perform elaborate temple worship. All this is not possible now. For now, the key to spiritual progress rests entirely on honesty and truthfulness.

Honest spiritual endeavor
The first step in making spiritual progress is understanding where one is heading. One cannot hope to reach Paris by catching a plane to London. All paths may eventually lead to God, but not all paths are the same and not all of them are suitable for everyone.

In the current age, chanting the holy names of the Lord is the recommended path for making spiritual advancement. It is easy, simple and any can do it. But chanting without understanding is like the man who would sit in front of a king’s palace and constantly chant the king’s name. One day the king noticed the man and asked him what he wanted. The man looked at the king and shrugged, ‘I do not know what I want, I am just chanting.’

The Hare Krishna maha-mantra is a plea to the internal potency of the Lord, to be engaged in His service. Chanting with the realization that the Lord and His names are non-different is the highest form of service. But this realization comes by executing devotional service for the Lord. Yet people may spend several years chanting and when the Lord gives them the opportunity to perform service they refuse. What is the point in chanting mechanically, without understanding its purpose? When one does not desire to serve, then why repeatedly ask for the service?