The first and foremost principle of Krishna Consciousness is chanting the Hare Krishna mantra:“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare”This mantra is a prayer to the Supreme Lord which means: “O energy of the Lord (Hare), O all-attractive Lord Krishna, O Supreme Enjoyer (Rama), please engage me in Your service.”As God and His name are nondifferent from Him and thus all-powerful (”Hallowed be the name of the Lord”), when we chant His holy name sincerely, we are directly associating with Him and we become purified. As we become more advanced in chanting Hare Krishna, we feel God’s presence more and more, and consequently we become automatically happy and satisified on the spiritual platform. Therefore, “Chant Hare Krishna and be happy” is one of our favorite mottos in Krishna Consciousness. Please try it for yourself and see the results. “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”Srila Prabhupada once wrote to an aspiring disciple:“To prosecute Krishna Consciousness there is no limitation, no material impediment can stop progress of Krishna Consciousness. That is the symptom of spiritual life. Spiritual life doesn’t depend on material conditions.“We have got many instances from the history of devotee’s life as Prahlada Maharaja. He was a small school boy, his father and teachers were all against God Consciousness. Still he flourished and converted all his class fellows to be Krishna Conscious in spite of severe trials experimented on his personal body.“So it is only the question of understanding the process how to execute Krishna Consciousness.”(Srila Prabhupada letter, February 13, 1968)On another occasion, Prabhupada wrote to a young student who was having health problems, and who couldn’t attend the official temple programs established by Srila Prabhupada in one of his nearby asramas:“It does not matter that you do not live within our temple, since you say your health does not permit. But you can make your home a temple for Krishna.“First thing is that you should try to follow strictly our regulative principles — no meat, fish or eggs; no intoxicants, including coffee, tea and cigarettes; no illicit sex; and no gambling. Try also to chant as many times as possible the Hare Krishna mantra on japa beads. You may keep a picture of Lord Krishna in your house and after cooking you may learn to offer the foodstuffs to the picture of Krishna.”(Srila Prabhupada letter, January 27, 1973)
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