10/17/2016

AnintroductiononhowtobeadevoteeofKrishna

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AnIntroductiontoDevoteeLifestyle

Home/AnIntroductiontoDevoteeLifestyle
amaRamaRamaHareHare

HareKrishnaHareKrishnaKrishnaKrishnaHareHareHareRamaHareRamaRamaRamaHareHare

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AnintroductiononhowtobeadevoteeofKrishna

TheBasicIdea
TheBhagavadgitaandtheVedictextsteachthatwearenotthesetemporarymaterialbodiesbutspiritsouls,orconsciousentities,andthatwecanfindgenuinepeaceand
happinessonlyinspiritualdevotiontoGod/Krishna.TheGitaandotherwellknownworldscripturesrecommendthatpeoplejoyfullychantGodsholynames,suchas
Krishna,Allah,andJehovah.KrishnaorGodisknownbymanynames,accordingtoHisdifferentqualitiesandactivitiesandtheextentoftherelationship,orrealization
ofthedevotee.IntheBibleheisknownasJehovah(thealmightyone),intheKoranasAllah(thegreatone),intheBhagavadgitaasKrishna,aSanskritname
meaningtheallattractiveone.
TheMostRecentIncarnationofKrishna
TheancientmantraasprescribedintheVedicliteratures:HareKrishna,HareKrishna,KrishnaKrishna,HareHare/HareRama,HareRama,RamaRama,HareHareisa
transcendentalsoundvibration.ItpurifiesthemindandawakensthedormantloveofGodthatresidesintheheartsofalllivingbeings.LordCaitanyathemostrecent
incarnationofKrishnainthisagerequestedHisfollowerstospreadthechantingtoeverytownandvillageoftheworld.
AnyonecantakepartinthechantingofHareKrishnaandlearnthescienceofspiritualloveofKrishnaandalllivingentitiesbystudyingtheBhagavadgitaAsItIs.This
easyandpracticalprocessofselfrealizationwillawakenournaturalstateofpeaceandhappiness.
(FormoreinformationonwhoLordCaitanyaispleasedownloadthebookTeachingsofLordChaitanyafromtheFreeebookstab)
KrishnaDevoteesToday
ThedevoteesyoumayhaveseendistributingbookslikeBhagavadGita,orchantingtheHareKrishnaMantrawithtraditionalIndianinstruments,ordancingandchanting
dressedintraditionalIndianrobes,areforthemostpartfulltimemonksoftheHareKrishnamovement.ThevastmajorityofKrishnadevotees,however,liveandworkin
thegeneralcommunity,practicingKrishnaconsciousnessintheirhomesandmaysometimesvisitKrishnatemplesforinspirationandprayer.
APhilosophyforEveryone
TheHareKrishnaPhilosophy(amonotheistictradition)issummarizedinthefollowingeightpoints:
1.BysincerelycultivatingtheauthenticspiritualscienceofsanantanadharmapresentedintheBhagavadgitaandotherVedicscriptures,wecanbecomefreefrom
anxietyandreviveournaturalstateofpure,unending,blissfulconsciousness.
2.Eachofusisnotthematerialbody,butaneternalspiritsoul,partandparcelofGod(Krishna).Assuch,wearealltheeternalservantsofKrishnaandareinterrelated
throughHim,ourcommonfather.Thisisournaturalpositionbutduetointensivelongtermassociationandidentificationwithmatterandmaterialismwehavelosttouch

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throughHim,ourcommonfather.Thisisournaturalpositionbutduetointensivelongtermassociationandidentificationwithmatterandmaterialismwehavelosttouch
withournaturalblissfulpositionandeternalnature.Wehavesimplybecomematerialisticandasaresultofthismaterialismandbodilyidentificationwearefrustratedin
somanyways.
3.TheVedasexplainthatKrishnaistheeternal,allknowing,omnipresent,allpowerful,andallattractivePersonalityofGodhead.Heistheseedgivingfatherofall
livingbeingsandthesustainingenergyoftheuniverse.HeisthesourceofallincarnationsofGod,includingLordBuddhaandLordJesusChrist.
4.TheVedasaretheoldestscripturesintheworld.TheessenceoftheVedasisfoundintheBhagavadgita,aliteralrecordofKrishnaswordsspokenfivethousandyears
agoinIndia.ThegoalofVedicknowledgeandofallreligionsistoachieveloveofGod.
5.WecanperfectlyunderstandtheknowledgeofselfrealizationthroughtheinstructionsofagenuinespiritualmastersuchasSrilaPrabhupadaonewhoisfreefrom
selfishmotives,whoteachesthescienceofGodexplainedintheBhagavadgita,andwhosemindisfirmlyfixedinmeditationonKrishna.
6.AllthatweeatshouldfirstbeofferedtoLordKrishnawithaprayer.InthiswayKrishnaacceptstheofferingandblessesitforourpurification.
7.Ratherthanlivinginaselfcenteredway,weshouldactforthepleasureofLordKrishna.Thisisknownasbhaktiyoga,thescienceofdevotionalservice.
8.ThemosteffectivemeansforachievingGodconsciousnessinthisAgeofKali,orquarrel,istochanttheholynamesoftheLord:HareKrishna,HareKrishna,Krishna
Krishna,HareHare/HareRama,HareRama,RamaRama,HareHare.
KrishnaConsciousnessatHome
SrilaPrabhupada,ouracharya(fullyselfrealizedspiritualmasterandguide)makesitclearhowimportantitisforeveryonetopracticeKrishnaconsciousness,devotional
servicetoLordKrishna.Ofcourse,livingintheassociationofKrishnasdevoteesinatempleorashramamakesiteasiertopracticedevotionalservice.Butifyoure
determined,youcanfollowathometheteachingsofKrishnaconsciousnessandthusconvertyourhomeintoatemple.
Spirituallife,likemateriallife,meanspracticalactivity.Thedifferenceisthatwhereasweperformmaterialactivitiesforthebenefitofourselvesorthoseweconsider
ours,weperformspiritualactivitiesforthebenefitofLordKrishna,undertheguidanceofthescripturesandthespiritualmaster.Thekeyistoaccepttheguidanceofthe
scriptureandtheguru.KrishnadeclaresintheBhagavadgitathatapersoncanachieveneitherhappinessnorthesupremedestinationoflifegoingbacktoGodhead,
backtoKrishnaifheorshedoesnotfollowtheinjunctionsthatKrishnahasgivenusintheVedicscriptures.Andhowtofollowthescripturalrulesbyengagingin
practicalservicetotheabsolutetruth,KrishnathatisexplainedbyabonafidespiritualmastersuchasSrilaPrabhupada.Withoutfollowingtheinstructionsofaspiritual
masterwhoisinanauthorizedchainofdisciplicsuccessioncomingfromKrishnaHimself,wecannotmakespiritualprogress.Thepracticesoutlinedherearethetimeless
practicesofbhaktiyogaasgivenbytheforemostspiritualmasterandexponentofKrishnaconsciousnessinourtime,HisDivineGraceA.C.BhaktivedantaSwami
Prabhupada.
ThepurposeofspiritualknowledgeistobringusclosertoGod,orKrishna.KrishnasaysintheBhagavadgita(18.55),bhaktyamamabhijanati:Icanbeknownonlyby
devotionalservice.Knowledgeguidesusinproperaction.SpiritualknowledgedirectsustosatisfythedesiresofKrishnathroughpracticalengagementsinHisloving
service.Withoutpracticalapplication,theoreticalknowledgeisoflittlevalue.
Spiritualknowledgeismeanttodirectusinallaspectsoflife.Weshouldendeavor,therefore,toorganizeourlivesinsuchawayastofollowKrishnasteachingsasfaras
possible.Weshouldtrytodoourbest,todomorethanissimplyconvenient.ThenitwillbepossibleforustorisetothetranscendentalplaneofKrishnaconsciousness,
evenwhilelivingfarfromatemple.
ChantingtheHareKrishnaMantra

ThefirstprincipleindevotionalserviceistochanttheHareKrishnamahamantra
(mahameansgreatmantrameanssoundthatliberatesthemindfromignorance)
HareKrishna,HareKrishna,KrishnaKrishna,HareHare
HareRama,HareRama,RamaRama,HareHare
YoucanchanttheseholynamesoftheLordanywhereandatanytime,butitisbesttosetaspecifictimeofthedaytoregularlychant.Earlymorninghoursarethebest.
Thechantingcanbedoneintwoways:singingthemantra,calledkirtana(usuallydoneinagroupandaccompaniedbymusicalinstruments),orchantingthemantrato
oneself,calledjapa(whichliterallymeanstospeaksoftly).Concentrateonhearingthesoundoftheholynames.Asyouchant,pronouncethenamesclearlyand
distinctly,addressingKrishnainaprayerfulmood.Whenyourmindwanders,bringitbacktothesoundofthemantra.ChantingisaprayertoKrishnathatmeansO
energyoftheLord[Hare],OallattractiveLord[Krishna],OSupremeEnjoyer[Rama],pleaseengagemeinYourdivinelovingservice.Themoreattentivelyand
sincerelywechantthesenamesofGod,themorespiritualprogresswemake.
SinceGodisallpowerfulandallmerciful,HehaskindlymadeitveryeasyforustochantHisnames,andHehasalsoinvestedallHispowersinthem.Thereforethe
namesofGodandGodHimselfareidentical.ThismeansthatwhenwechanttheholynamesofHare,KrishnaandRamawearedirectlyassociatingwithGodandhis
transcendentalpotency,thuswearebeingpurified.Thereforeweshouldalwaystrytochantwithdevotionandreverence.TheVedicliteraturestatesthatLordKrishnais
personallydancingonourtongueswhenwechantHisholyname.
Whenwechantalone,itisbesttochantonjapabeads(availablefromtheKrishnaStorelinkonthebottomofanypageofthiswebsite).Thisnotonlyhelpsusfixour
attentionontheholyname,butitalsohelpsuscountthenumberoftimeswechantthemantradaily.Eachstrandofjapabeadscontains108smallbeadsandonelarge
bead,theheadbead.BeginonabeadnexttotheheadbeadandgentlyrollitbetweenthethumbandmiddlefingerofyourrighthandasyouchantthefullHareKrishna
mantra.Thenmovetothenextbeadandrepeattheprocess.Inthisway,chantoneachofthe108beadsuntilyoureachtheheadbeadagain.Thisisoneroundofjapa.
Then,withoutchantingontheheadbead,reversethebeadsandstartyoursecondroundonthelastbeadyouchantedon.
InitiateddevoteesvowbeforethespiritualmastertochantatleastsixteenroundsoftheHareKrishnamantradaily.Butevenifyoucanchantonlyoneroundaday,the
principleisthatonceyoucommityourselftochantingthatround,youshouldtrytocompleteiteverydaywithoutfail.Whenyoufeelyoucanchantmore,thenincrease
theminimumnumberofroundsyouchanteachdaybutdontfallbelowthatnumber.Youcanchantmorethanyourfixednumber,butyoushouldmaintainaset
minimumeachday.(Pleasenotethatthebeadsaresacredandthereforeshouldnevertouchthegroundorbeputinanuncleanplace.Tokeepyourbeadscleanand
protectedyoucancarrytheminsometypeofbeadbag,alsoavailablefromtheKrishnaStore.Ifyourhandywithaneedleandthreadyoucanmakeoneyourself.)
Asidefromchantingjapa,youcanalsosingtheLordsholynamesinkirtana.Whileyoucanperformkirtanaindividually,itisgenerallyperformedwithothers.A
melodiouskirtanawithfamilyorfriendsissuretoenliveneveryone.Krishnadevoteesusetraditionalmelodiesandinstruments,especiallyinthetemple,butyoucan
chanttoanymelodyanduseanymusicalinstrumentstoaccompanyyourchanting.AsLordCaitanyasaid,TherearenohardandfastrulesforchantingHareKrishna.
Onethingyoumightwanttodo,however,isdownloadsomekirtanaandjapaaudiofromtheFreeAudiotabonthetopofthiswebsite.
SettingUpASacredSpaceorAltar
Youwilllikelyfindthatyourjapaandkirtanaareespeciallyeffectivewhendonebeforeanaltar.LordKrishnaandHispuredevoteelikeSrilaPrabhupadaaresokindand
powerfulthattheycanacceptourdevotionandworshipeventhroughtheirpictures.Thatisthedifferencebetweenaconditionedsoul/ordinarypersonandanadvanced
puredevotee.Afullyliberatedpersonality,orthesupremebeing,Krishna,isnotlimitedordifferentfromtheirformornameorthought.Theyarefullyabsoluteand
transcendentalduetobeingfullyliberatedpersonalities.Itissomethinglikemailingaletter:Youcannotmailaletterbyplacingitinjustanyboxyoumustusethe
mailboxauthorizedbythegovernment.Similarly,wecannotimagineapictureofGodandworshipthat,butwecanworshiptheauthorizedpictureofGod,andKrishna
acceptsourworshipthroughthatpictureorthroughhisfullyliberatedpuredevoteelikeSrilaPrabhupada.
SettingupasacredspaceoraltarathomemeansinvitingandreceivingKrishnaandHispuredevoteeasyourmosthonoredguests.Whereandhowshouldyousetupthe
altar?Itisreallyaofferingofyourownloveanddevotion,asacredofferingfromyourhearttothem.thatisthemoodyoushouldtrytoletyourselfbeguidedby.You
canaskyourselfhowyouwouldseataveryexaltedlovedguest?Anidealplacewouldbeclean,andfreefromhouseholddisturbances.Asimplealteryoucanmakeyour
selfcanconsistofpicturesyoucandownloadfromthiswebsitesgalleryandjustplaceonawallshelf,amantelpiece,acornertable,orthetopshelfofabookcaseetc.Be
creativeanduseyourownnatureandfeelingsofdevotion.Youcandecorateitwithcolorfulclothorflowersorsomeotherbeautifulthings.Alsoyouwouldntseatloved
guestsinyourhomeandthenignorethemyoudprovideaplaceforyourselftosit,too,whereyoucouldcomfortablyfacethemandenjoytheircompany.Sodontmake
youraltarinaccessible.
Whatdoyouneedforanaltar?Herearesomebasicideas:
1.ApictureofSrilaPrabhupada.
2.ApictureofLordCaitanyaandHisassociates.
3.ApictureofSriSriRadhaKrishna.
Inaddition,ifyouliketogetfancy,youmaywantanaltarcloth,watercups(oneforeachpicture),candleswithholders,aspecialplateforofferingfood,asmallbell,
incense,anincenseholder,andfreshflowers,whichyoumayofferinvasesorsimplyplacebeforeeachpicture.Andanyotherbeautifulthingsyouwouldliketodecorate
itwith.
Thefirstpersonweworshiponthealtaristhespiritualmaster.ThespiritualmasterisnotKrishna/God.OnlyGodisGod.ButbecausethespiritualmasterisHisdearmost
servant,Krishnahasempoweredhim,andKrishnaacceptsourofferingswhenwegivethemtothebonafidespiritualmaster.Thespiritualmasterthereforeshouldbe
offeredthesamerespectthatweliketogivetoKrishnabecausethespiritualmastersimplyofferseverythingtoKrishna.HelinksthedisciplewithKrishnaandteaches
himtheprocessofbhaktiyoga.HeisKrishnasambassadorinthematerialworld.Whenapresidentsendsanambassadortoaforeigncountry,theambassadorreceives
thesamerespectasthataccordedthepresident,andtheambassadorswordsareasauthoritativeasthepresidents.Similarly,weshouldrespectthespiritualmasteraswe
wouldKrishna,andreverehiswordsaswewouldHis.
Therearemanytypesandlevelsofspiritualmasters.ThemainspiritualmasterorguruisagurulikeSrilaPrabhupada,afullyselfrealizedsoulcompletelyfreefromall
defectsofamundaneconditionedlivingentity.SrilaPrabhupadasaysinhisintroductiontotheBhagavadgita:Apersonofthemundaneworldwhoisinfectedwithfour
defects.Amundaner1)issuretocommitmistakes,2)isinvariablyillusioned,3)hasthetendencytocheatothersand4)islimitedbyimperfectsenses.Withthesefour

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defects.Amundaner1)issuretocommitmistakes,2)isinvariablyillusioned,3)hasthetendencytocheatothersand4)islimitedbyimperfectsenses.Withthesefour
imperfections,onecannotdeliverperfectinformationofallpervadingknowledge.Vedicknowledgeisnotimpartedbysuchdefectivelivingentities.Soweneedto
worshipandgiveourofferingsnottoaconditionedsoulthatisimperfectlikeus,buttoarealgurulikeSrilaPrabhupadawhoisnotonthematerialplatformatallandis
completelyfreefromthe4defectsofthelivingentityasmentionedabove.Sucharealguruorspiritualmasterisalsoworthyoftakingshelterofandgivingusinitiation
intothechantingoftheHareKrishnaMahamantra.SrilaPrabhupadadefinesthewordinitiation(orinSanskritthewordisactuallyDiksa).AccordingtotheCaitanya
CaritamritaMadhyalila4.111Diksaactuallymeansinitiatingadisciplewithtranscendentalknowledgebywhichhebecomesfreedfromallmaterialcontamination.So
forsomeonetoofferourworshiptoKrishnaorimpart(orawaken)realizedtranscendentalknowledgeinustheythemselvesmustbefullyonthattranscendentalplatform
ofspiritualexistence.Itissaidifapersonisboundhandsandfeetheneedstofindapersonthatisfreetounbindhim.Sotherearemanytypesofgurusthatcanhelpus
onourpathinspirituallifesuchasafriendthatremindsustostayfixedontheKrishnapathandmayencourageustochantandfollowalltherulesandregulationsof
spirituallife.ButtheguruwhospictureisworthyofplacingonanalterandisqualifiedtoacceptourofferingsandloveonbehalfofKrishnaistheonethatisgoingto
unbindusfromourattachmenttomatterandourfalseegoandawakeninourheartseternalattachmentandloveofKrishnamustbeafullyliberatedsoullikeSrila
Prabhupada.Hecannotbeaconditionedsoullikeus,otherwiseifheisalsoboundtomaterialnaturehowcanhefreeusandgiveuspureloveofKrishna?Thuswemust
takeadvantageofallthebooksandaudiothatSrilaPrabhupadahasleftforourstudyandtoperfectourlife!Simplybybecomingveryserioustoreadtheoriginal
transcendentalbooksandwordsleftbythefullyselfrealizedguruslikeSrilaPrabhupadathenwewillreceivethatDiksa(DivyaJana)realizeddivinespiritual
knowledge.ItissimplywaitingforusinthepagesofSrilaPrabhupadasbooks!
AnyonewhotakesuptheprocessofbhaktiyogaasaresultofcomingincontactwithPrabhupadasbooksorfollowersowesanimmensedebtofgratitudetoSrila
Prabhupada.BeforeSrilaPrabhupadaleftIndiain1965tospreadKrishnaconsciousnessabroad,almostnooneoutsideIndiaknewanythingaboutthepracticeofpure
devotionalservicetoLordKrishna.Therefore,everyonewhohaslearnedoftheprocessthroughhisbooksandhisaudiorecordings,orcontactwithhisfollowersshould
offerrespecttoSrilaPrabhupada.Heisthusthemainguruofusall.AndisqualifiedtobeonouraltersandblessuswithpureloveofKrishna!
Asyouprogressinbhaktiyoga,andstarttofollowtheregulativeprinciples(seethesectionbelowcalledTheFourRegulativePrinciplesofPureDevotionalLife),itis
veryhelpfultoacceptformalinitiationfromafullyselfrealizedGurulikeSrilaPrabhupadaandbecomeafullfledgeddiscipleanddevoteeofKrishna.
Thesecondpictureonyouraltarshouldbeoneofthepancatattva,LordCaitanyaandHisfourleadingassociates(PicturesareavailableforfreedownloadintheFree
arttabonthiswebsite).LordCaitanyaistheincarnationofGodforthisage.HeisKrishnaHimself,descendedintheformofHisowndevoteetoteachushowto
surrendertoHim,specificallybychantingHisholynamesandperformingotheractivitiesofbhaktiyoga.LordCaitanyaisthemostmercifulincarnation,becauseHe
makesiteasyforanyonetoattainloveofGodthroughthechantingoftheHareKrishnamantra.
AndofcourseyouraltarshouldhaveapictureoftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,LordSriKrishna,withHiseternalconsort,SrimatiRadharani.SrimatiRadharani
isKrishnasspiritualpotency.Sheisdevotionalservicepersonified,anddevoteesalwaystakeshelterofHertolearnhowtoserveKrishna.
Youcanarrangethepicturesinatriangle,withthepictureofSrilaPrabhupadaontheleft,thepictureofLordCaitanyaandHisassociatesontheright,andthepictureof
RadhaandKrishna,which,ifpossible,shouldbeslightlylargerthantheothers,onasmallraisedplatformbehindandinthecenter.OryoucanhangthepictureofRadha
andKrishnaonthewallabove.
CleanlinessisessentialinDeityworship.Remember,youwouldntneglecttocleantheroomofanimportantguest,andwhenyouestablishanaltaryouinviteKrishna
andHispuredevoteestoresideasthemostexaltedguestsinyourhome.Sothatspaceshouldbekeptclean.Ifyouhavewatercups,rinsethemoutandfillthemwith
freshwateroften.Thenplacethemconvenientlyclosetothepictures.Itisnicetoofferfreshincenseandflowersregularly,oranyothernicegestureoflovethatyoucan
thinkwhichyoufeelwillbepleasingtotheguruandKrishna.
Pleasetrythethingswevesuggestedsofar.Itsverysimple,really:IfyoutrytoloveGod,youllgraduallyrealizehowmuchHelovesyou.Thatstheessenceofbhakti
yoga.
Prasadam:HowtoEatSpiritually
ByHisimmensetranscendentalenergies,Krishnacanactuallyconvertmatterintospirit.Ifweplaceanironrodinafire,beforelongtherodbecomesredhotandactsjust
likefire.Inthesameway,foodpreparedforandofferedtoKrishnawithloveanddevotionbecomescompletelyspiritualized.SuchfoodiscalledKrishnaprasadam,
whichmeansthemercyofLordKrishna.
Eatingprasadamisafundamentalpracticeofbhaktiyoga.Inotherformsofyogaonemustartificiallyrepressthesenses,butthebhaktiyogicanengagehisorhersenses
inavarietyofpleasingspiritualactivities,suchastastingdeliciousfoodofferedtoLordKrishna.Inthiswaythesensesgraduallybecomespiritualizedandbringthe
devoteemoreandmoretranscendentalpleasurebybeingengagedindevotionalservice.Suchspiritualpleasurefarsurpassesanymaterialexperience.
LordCaitanyasaidofprasadam,Everyonehastastedthesefoodsbefore.However,nowthattheyhavebeenpreparedforKrishnaandofferedtoHimwithdevotion,
thesefoodshaveacquiredextraordinarytastesanduncommonfragrances.Justtastethemandseethedifferenceintheexperience!Apartfromthetaste,eventhe
fragrancepleasesthemindandmakesoneforgetanyotherfragrance.Therefore,itshouldbeunderstoodthatthespiritualnectarofKrishnaslipsmusthavetouchedthese
ordinaryfoodsandimpartedtothemalltheirtranscendentalqualities.
EatingonlyfoodofferedtoKrishnaisabovevegetarianism.Initself,beingavegetarianisnotenoughafterall,evenpigeonsandmonkeysarevegetarians.Butwhenwe
gobeyondvegetarianismtoadietofprasadam,oureatingbecomeshelpfulinachievingthegoalofhumanlifereawakeningthesoulsoriginalrelationshipwithGod.In
theBhagavadgitaLordKrishnasaysthatunlessoneeatsonlyfoodthathasbeenofferedtoHimindevotion,onewillsufferthereactionsofkarma(evenvegetarians).
HowtoPrepareandOfferPrasadam
AsyouwalkdownthesupermarketaislesselectingthefoodsyouwilloffertoKrishna,youneedtoknowwhatisofferableandwhatisnot.IntheBhagavadgita,Lord
Krishnastates,IfoneoffersMewithloveanddevotionaleaf,aflower,afruit,orwater,Iwillacceptit.FromthisverseitisunderstoodthatwecanofferKrishnafoods
preparedfrommilkproducts,vegetables,fruits,nuts,andgrains.(therearemanyHareKrishnacookbooksintheKrishnaStoreonthebottomofanypageonthis
website)Meat,fish,andeggsarenotofferable.Andafewvegetarianitemsarealsotobeavoidedgarlicandonions,forexample,whichareinthemodeofdarkness.
(Hing,orasafetida,isatastysubstituteforthemincookingandisavailableatmostIndiangroceriesorhealthfoodstores.)NorcanyouoffertoKrishnacoffee,teaor
energydrinksthatcontaincaffeine.Ifyoulikethesebeverages,purchasethemintheircaffeinefreeform.
Whileshopping,beawarethatyoumayfindmeat,fish,andeggproductsmixedwithotherfoodssotrytoreadlabelscarefully.Forinstance,somebrandsofyogurtand
sourcreamcontaingelatin,asubstancemadefromthehorns,hooves,andbonesofslaughteredanimals.Also,makesurethecheeseyoubuycontainsnoanimalrennet,an
enzymeextractedfromthestomachtissuesofslaughteredcalves.ManyhardcheesesoldinAmericacontainsrennet,sobecarefulaboutanycheeseyoucantverifyis
vegetarianhavingnoanimalrennet.
Also,ifpossible,avoidfoodscookedbynondevotees.Accordingtothesubtlelawsofnature,theconsciousnessofthecooksaturatesthefoodthattheyprepare.Thisis
whywelikeeatingfoodofferedtousbypersonsthatloveorcareforusandwascookedingoodconsciousnessandwhenweeatfoodpreparedbydisturbedormiserable
personswefeeldisturbedandunhappy.Foodthusbecomesanagentforsubtleinfluencesonyourconsciousness.Theprincipleisthesameasthatatworkwithapainting:
apaintingisnotsimplyacollectionofstrokesonacanvasbutanexpressionoftheartistsstateofmind,whichaffectstheviewer.Soifyoueatfoodcookedby
nondevoteesemployeesworkinginafactory,forexamplethenyouresuretoabsorbadoseofmaterialismandkarma.Soasfaraspossibleuseonlyfresh,natural,
rawingredients.
Inpreparingfood,cleanlinessisaveryimportantprinciple.NothingimpureshouldbeofferedtoGodsokeepyourkitchenclean.Whilepreparingfood,donottasteit,
foryouarecookingthemealnotforyourselfbutforthepleasureofKrishna.Ifpossiblegetaunusednewplateandcupthatwillbeusedforallyourfoodofferingsand
arrangeportionsofthefoodonthisspecialplate.NoonebuttheLordshouldusethisplateandcup.Theeasiestwaytoofferfoodissimplytopray,MydearLord
Krishna,pleaseacceptthisfoodandtochanteachofthefollowingprayersthreetimeswhileringingabell(iftimeisshortduetoaheavyworkscheduleetc.thensimply
chanttheHareKrishnaMahamantraafewtimeswithloveanddevotion):
1.PrayertoSrilaPrabhupada:
namaomvisnupadayaKrishnapresthayabhutale
srimatebhaktivedantasvaminitinamine
namastesarasvatedevegauravanipracarine
nirvisesasunyavadipascatyadesatarine
IoffermyrespectfulobeisancesuntoHisDivineGraceA.C.BhaktivedantaSwamiPrabhupada,whoisverydeartoLordKrishnaonthisEarth,havingtakenshelterat
Hislotusfeet.Ourrespectfulobeisancesareuntoyou,Ospiritualmaster,servantofBhaktisiddhantaSarasvatiGosvami.YouarekindlypreachingthemessageofLord
CaitanyadevaanddeliveringtheWesterncountries,whicharefilledwithimpersonalismandvoidism.
2.PrayertoLordCaitanya:
namomahavadanyayaKrishnapremapradayate
KrishnayaKrishnacaitanyanamnegauratvisenamah
Omostmunificentincarnation!YouareKrishnaHimselfappearingasSriKrishnaCaitanyaMahaprabhu.YouhaveassumedthegoldencolorofSrimatiRadharani,and
YouarewidelydistributingpureloveofKrishna.WeofferourrespectfulobeisancesuntoYou.
3.PrayertoLordKrishna:
namobrahmanyadevayagobrahmanahitayaca
jagaddhitayaKrishnayagovindayanamonamah
IoffermyrespectfulobeisancesuntoLordKrishna,whoistheworshipableDeityforallbrahmanas,thewellwisherofthecowsandthebrahmanas,andthebenefactor
ofthewholeworld.IoffermyrepeatedobeisancestothePersonalityofGodhead,knownasKrishnaandGovinda.
RememberthattherealpurposeofpreparingandofferingfoodtotheLordistoshowyourdevotionandgratitudetoHim.Krishnaacceptsyourdevotion,notjustthe
physicalofferingitself,yourloveanddevotionisthemostimportantingredient.LordKrishnaiscompleteinHimselfHedoesntneedanythingbutoutofHis
immensekindnessHeallowsustoofferfoodtoHimsothatwecandevelopourloveforHim.

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AnintroductiononhowtobeadevoteeofKrishna

Ifpossibleafter,placingtheofferingoffoodbeforeyouralter,waitatleastfiveminutesforHimtopartakeofthepreparationsandyourdevotion/bhakti.Thenyoushould
transferthefoodfromthespecialofferingplatesandwashthedishesandutensilsyouusedfortheoffering.Nowyouandanyguestsmayeattheprasadamor
spiritualizedfood.Whileyoueat,trytoappreciatethespiritualvalueofthefood.RememberthatbecauseKrishnahasacceptedit,itisnondifferentfromHim,and
thereforebyeatingityouwillbecomepurifiedorkrishnafied.
Everythingyouofferonyouraltarbecomesprasadam,themercyoftheLord.Flowers,incense,thewater,thefoodeverythingyouofferfortheLordspleasurebecomes
spiritualized.YoucanevenoffernewclothingyougettoKrishnaandPrabhupada.Youcanofferprettymuchanythingaslongasitiscleanandnew.TheLordblessesthe
offerings,andthustheybecomenondifferentfromHim.TheycarythetranscendentalKrishnavibrationandsothemoreyouoffertoKrishnathemorethewhorlbecomes
transcendentalthisisthewholereasonwhywedodevotionalservicesothatwefullyenterintothespiritualrelm.Evenifwegetsomethingforsomeoneelsewecan
firstofferittoKrishnainourmindsoractuallybringingithomeandplacingitbeforeouralterandchantingtheabovemantras.Thenwhenwedistributeittoothersthey
willbecomepurifiedbyreceivingthisprasadamwhethertheyknowitornot.Distributionofprasadamwillactweatherthereceiverknowsitisprasadamornot.
TheFourRegulativePrinciplesofAPureDevotionalLife
ForthoseveryveryseriousaboutprogressinginKrishnaconsciousnessoneshouldtrytoavoidthefollowingfoursinfulactivitiesasbestasonecan:
1.Eatingmeat,fish,oreggs.
ThesefoodsaresaturatedwiththebadKarmaofkillingandthemodesofpassionandignorance.ThereforetheycannotbeofferedtotheLord.Apersonwhoeatsthese
foodsparticipatesinaconspiracyofviolenceagainsthelplessanimalsandthusstopshisspiritualprogressdeadinitstracks.
2.Gambling.
Gamblinginvariablyputsoneintoanxietyandfuelsgreed,envy,andanger.
3.Theuseofintoxicants.
Drugs,alcohol,andtobacco,aswellasanydrinksorfoodscontainingcaffeine,cloudthemind,overstimulatethesenses,andmakeitdificulttounderstandorfollowthe
principlesofbhaktiyoga.
4.Illicitsex.
Thisissexoutsideofmarriageorsexinmarriageforanypurposeotherthanprocreation.Sexforbodily/sensualpleasuremakesoneidentifymorewiththebody,and
becomemorelustyandmaterialistic.Inthislusty,sensual,bodilyconsciousnessitisdifficulttostayonthepurespiritualplatformofselflessloveofKrishna.The
scripturesteachthatsexisthemostpowerfulforcebindingustothematerialworld.Formostpeoplethisprincipalisthehardesttogiveupbecauseitissuchanatural
impulseandawaywehavelearnedtoexpressourloveforourpartner.Butwemustrememberthatsincewearenotourbodiesandrealhappinesscomesfromwithin,if
wereallywantthathappinessthatdoesnotgoawayorhaveanyendthenitmustcomefromanotherplatformthenthatrelatingtothebodywhichistemporary.Real
pleasureisofthesoul.Butsincewehavetobewhoweareandnotmakeashow,manypeoplearenotabletocompletelygivethisuprightaway.Theprocesstodothisis
byexperiencingahighertaste(yesthereispleasurethatismuchgreaterthenthatderivedfromsexualunionfromalovedone).Wewillgetahighertastebyoursincerely
chantingtheHareKrishnaMantraandfollowingtheseprincipalsasbestaswecan.Gradually,asonedevelopsahighertaste,onewillnaturallygiveuptheinferior
pleasurestoembracethehighermorefulfillingpleasuresonthetranscendentalplatform.
EngaginginPracticalDevotionalService
Everyonemustdosomekindofwork,butifyouworkonlyforyourselfyoumustacceptthekarmicreactionsofthatwork.AsLordKrishnasaysintheBhagavadgita
Chapter3text9,WorkdoneasasacrificeforVisnu[Krishna]hastobeperformed.Otherwiseworkbindsonetothematerialworld.
Youneedntchangeyouroccupation,exceptifyourenowengagedinasinfuljobsuchasworkingasabutcherorbartender.Ifyoureawriter,writeforKrishnaif
youreanartist,createforKrishnaifyoureasecretary,typeforKrishna.YoumayalsodirectlyhelpinaKrishnatempleinyoursparetime,andyoushouldsacrifice
someofthefruitsofyourworkbycontributingaportionofyourearningstohelppropagateKrishnaconsciousnesstoothers.YoucancontactVedaguhyadas(theheadof
KBI)atinfo@krishnabooks.organdfindoutaboutorderingwholesalebooksanddistributethemtoyourfriendsorinyourcommunity.Oryoucansimplydownloadthe
ebookversionsonthiswebsiteandemailthemtoothers.Thereisalsoawidenetworkofdevoteeswhogatherineachothershomesforchanting,worship,andstudy.
AdditionalDevotionalPrinciples
TherearemanymoredevotionalpracticesthatcanhelpyoubecomeKrishnaconscious.Herearetwovitalones:

StudyingSrilaPrabhupadasbooks.SrilaPrabhupadadedicatedmuchofhistimetotranslatingbookssuchastheBhagavadGitaandmanyotherimportantsanskrit
textintoenglishforthebettermentoftheworld.Hearingthewordsorreadingthewritingsofarealizedspiritualmasterisanessentialspiritualpractice.Sotrytosetaside
sometimeeverydaytoreadSrilaPrabhupadasbooks.WehavemadeallofSrilaPrabhupadasoriginalbooksavailableforfreedownloadonthiswebsiteandwealso
haveastorewhereyoucanbuyhardcopiesofthesebooksandmore.
Associatingwithdevotees.SrilaPrabhupadaestablishedtheHareKrishnamovementtogivepeopleingeneralthechancetoassociatewithdevoteesoftheLord.Thisis
thebestwaytogainfaithintheprocessofKrishnaconsciousnessandbecomeenthusiasticindevotionalservice.Conversely,maintainingintimateconnectionswith
nondevoteesslowsonesspiritualprogress.SotrytovisitaHareKrishnacenternearestyouasoftenaspossible.

InClosing
ThebeautyofKrishnaconsciousnessisthatyoucantakeasmuchasyourereadyfor.KrishnaHimselfpromisesintheBhagavadgitachapter2text40Thereisnoloss
ordiminutioninthisendeavor,andevenalittleadvancementonthispathprotectsonefromthemostfearfultypeofdanger.SobringKrishnaintoyourdailylife,andwe
guaranteeyoullfeelthebenefit.
HareKrishna!
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AnintroductiononhowtobeadevoteeofKrishna

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