Page 21 - Lekha-mala (English)
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Posts to BVKS Sanga 11
Sometimes Srila Prabhupada encouraged devotees to chant
extra rounds, and sometimes he discouraged them from doing
so, telling them to chant sixteen and do service. He referred to
the inability of his disciples to chant constantly and therefore
felt it essential that they be fully engaged in service so as to thus
engage their minds. And particularly, he generally preferred
that devotees directly engaged in preaching not reduce it to
spend extra time in sadhana. To follow the full morning and
evening temple programs and also have one hour for private
study takes about seven hours, which is a lot.
There is no fixed rule on chanting 64 rounds. If you have time
and it is not detracting from other services or responsibilities
(which includes the responsibility to follow regular sadhana
programs) then by all means chant more.
But be careful of the “aloof bhajananandi” mood of avoiding
other devotees so as to concentrate only on personal sadhana,
and of thinking oneself better than others for doing so.
Kirtaniyah sada harih can properly be practised by one who
is trnad api sunicena, taror api sahisnuna, amanina manadena.
7 August 2002
Misunderstandings are liable to arise when a person judges
another’s actions without consulting him as to his motive or
perspective. If in doubt about another it is therefore prudent
to openmindedly and nonaccusatively present that doubt to
him for clarification. Being it not impossible that a disciple
feel unsure about even his guru’s actions, I request that if any
of my disciples feel disturbed by anything I do or say to let
me know so as to forestall diminution of trust and to help me
better represent Srila Prabhupada in my words and actions.