Timisoara Public Hall Lecture

Last Saturday afternoon (24 March 2007) the Timisoara devotees arranged a public lecture for me in a hall in downtown Timisoara. Flyers had been put up all over town advertising that I would be giving a presentation on Krishna consciousness. It was wonderful to see an entire hall filled up with people eager to learn about Krishna consciousness. When I led Hare Krishna kirtan, the people joined in, filling the hall with the sweet sounds of Krishna's names. After lecturing for almost an hour, I then opened the floor for questions. The questions kept coming non-stop for almost another hour until I brought the program to a close and invited everyone to go the book table. The book table became a crowded scene while the people patiently waited their turn to purchase the book or books of their choice. I then spent almost another hour signing books purchased by the guests. As soon as I get access to a broadband internet connection the lecture will be uploaded for all those who would like to hear it.

Sankarshan Das Lecture at Public Hall, Timisoara, Romania

Sankarshan Das Lecture at Public Hall, Timisoara, Romania

Sankarshan Das signing books purchased by the guests, Timisoara

Answers According to the Vedic Version

Question: Why Chant on Beads?...

What is the significance of chanting "Hare Krishna" on beads? Sometimes I chant without beads.

Mitesh

Response: To Ensure the Greatest Absorption...

Chanting on beads is very important. Lord Caitanya, Who is Krishna Himself appearing in the form of devotee, also chanted on beads. This the practice of the all the great acharyas, spiritual masters who teach by practical example. The beads add extra depth to the process of chanting and enable the devotee to fix his mind fully in loving meditation on the holy names.

The beads are also a means of counting how many mantras are uttered on a daily basis. Every devotee is to make a fixed vow of how many mantras he will utter on a daily basis and remain fixed in that vow without fail. We ask each and every one of our initiated students to chant at least 16 rounds daily of Hare Krishna japa. This equates to a minimum of 1,728 repetitions of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra every day.

Of course, we are meant to chant Hare Krishna as much as possible 24 hours daily, either on the beads or off the beads. But our daily vow of at least 16 rounds must be chanted on the beads to ensure the greatest absorption.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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