Fearless in All Circumstances

In this world, which is full of danger at every step, it is quite natural to always be fearful. But a devotee of the Lord is fearless in all circumstances because he is fully confident that Lord Sri Krishna will always give him complete protection. Therefore being a devotee of the Lord is the only lifestyle that makes any sense. To be anything other than a devotee is pure, unadulterated foolishness.

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version

Question: Hare Krishna Tattoo on My Chest?

Gurudeva, is it a sin to get a Krishna conscious tattoo? I would like to have a tattoo of "Hare Krishna" on my chest.

Please enlighten me.

Thank you very much.

Your servant,

Shar

Answer: A Tattoo Won't Take You Back to Godhead

It is not a sin, but it also not recommended by Srila Prabhupada. Krishna consciousness is not so cheap that you can become Krishna conscious by getting a tattoo. If you truly want to become Krishna conscious, you must follow the prescribed method given by Srila Prabhupada in the Nectar of Devotion as follows:

How to Discharge Devotional Service:

(1) Accept the shelter of the lotus feet of a bona fide spiritual master.
(2) Become initiated by the spiritual master and learn how to discharge devotional service from him.
(3) Obey the orders of the spiritual master with faith and devotion.
(4) Follow in the footsteps of great acharyas (teachers) under the direction of the spiritual master.
(5) Inquire from the spiritual master how to advance in Krishna consciousness.
(6) Be prepared to give up anything material for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna. (This means that when we are engaged in the devotional service
of Krishna, we must be prepared to give up something which we may not like to give up, and also we have to accept something which we may not like to accept.)
(7) Reside in a sacred place of pilgrimage like Dvaraka or Vrindavana.
(8) Accept only what is necessary, or dealing with the material world only as far as necessary.
(9) Observe the fasting day on Ekadasi.
(10) Worship sacred trees like the banyan tree.

These ten items are preliminary necessities for beginning the discharge of devotional service in regulative principles. In the beginning, if a neophyte devotee observes the above-mentioned ten principles, surely he will quickly make good advancement in Krishna consciousness.

---end of quote--

So if you want to become Krishna consciousness, kindly follow the above ten items. There is a devotee in New Zealand who become infected with HIV by getting a tattoo. I don't recommend tattoos to anyone.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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