The Real Ticket to Vrindavan

Today we are heading out to India via a transit stop in Finland. I'll be giving a couple of lectures at our center in Helsinki and then we will continue our eastward journey to the holy land of Vrindavan. It is always special mercy to be able to visit Krishna's holy dhama (abode). Sri Vrindavan Dhama, although apparently situated within this material world, is non-different from the Goloka Vrindavan which exists in the topmost portion of the spiritual sky far, far beyond the coverings of this dark material world. No matter which way one contacts with that divine abode, one becomes purified. Whether touches its dust, breathes its air, or simply remembers it--the all auspicious Sri Vrindavan Dhama bestows all spiritual blessings upon those who take its shelter. The spiritual master is the revealer of the dhama. So before heading out to that most sacred abode I am begging my spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, that by his mercy I actually enter into the most merciful Sri Vrindavan Dhama. This is required because we cannot enter the Holy Dhama simply by purchasing an airline ticket. We can only enter the Holy Dhama by the mercy of the bona fide spiritual master. This mercy of Sri Guru is the real ticket to Vrindavan.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Sri Vrindavana Dhama

Sri Vrindavana Dhama

Answers According to the Vedic Version:

Question: Is It Good to Chant Hare Krishna Without Beads?

Dear Gurudeva,

If I chant the Hare Krishna mahamantra, just like Caitanya Mahaprabhu did without japa beads, is that good?

Gopal

Answer: Yes, But For Perfection Good is Not Good Enough.

Of course, any chanting is good, with beads or without beads. But if one wants to attain the full benefit of chanting, good is not good enough. You must become perfect in chanting. Therefore chanting with beads is required.

You have somehow misunderstood that Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not chant Hare Krishna on beads. This is not a fact. Lord Caitanya did chant the Hare Krishna mantra on beads. Also, the great acharyas chanted Hare Krishna on beads. And Srila Prabhupada ordered his followers to chant at least 16 rounds daily of the Hare Krishna mahamantra on beads.

So why would you want to chant without beads when God Himself as well the great acharyas chanted on beads? The sastras declare that we are meant to follow in the footsteps of the great saintly teachers. Therefore if you want the achieve the perfection of chanting Hare Krishna, you should also chant on japa beads at least 16 rounds daily. Chanting on the japa beads is especially recommended because it makes the chanting more powerful and more effective. And in this age of Kali we need all the help we can get for becoming successful spiritually.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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