All glories to Srila Prabhupada! - yimg.com

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Please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to all pure devotees of the Lord! The bottom line is in following the fourĀ ...
Please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to all pure devotees of the Lord! The bottom line is in following the four regulative principles. This means remaining clear of the four prohibited activities. *meat eating *illicit sex *intoxication *gambling But, we do need a thorough understanding of these four regulative principles. For instance, we are actually warned to be careful about foods high in protein even if it is simply a bean such as chick pea or red dahl. Regarding sex restrictions, in introductory writings on Krsna consciousness it is indicated that there should be sex only in marriage. But, if we read further we will find more and more restrictions regarding sex in marriage. Regarding intoxication, it is even expected to not use any kind of caffeine. Since many people are overly attached to caffeine this restriction may require further research and study. Hard earned wealth is also sometimes referred to as intoxication. The chemicals that are produced in the neuro-nervous system during sexual arousal could possibly be considered as intoxicating as a drug such as opium and taking months for all the effects to wear off. Regarding restrictions on gambling, ordinarily, we think of the gambling at casinos. Something like casino gambling could be considered the more gross form of gambling. But, there are other types of gambling. Business speculations such as in making out a loan is a form of gambling. Also, in philosophical research, if we do not succeed in surrendering to the Supreme Personality of Godhead in our philosophical research then we could be guilty of mental speculation. We can read many books, but can we discern the basics and essentials of each book and how all this relates to our relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead? If we simply chant and glorify the names of God ideal represented in the Hare Krsna Maha Mantra: HARE KRSNA HARE KRSNA KRSNA KRSNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE then, we are considered first class brahmana. But, in these modern times we now have improving technology, such as computers, to help us with more involved studies of the authorized Vaisnava teachings. In this way many more peoples can become much more learned as brahmanas and in brahminical pursuit. However, we should also take this into consideration; there is all knowledge in simply chanting the Hare Krsna Maha Mantra. It is actually stressed by previous Acaryas to chant the Hare Krsna Maha mantra starting with a number of rounds on Japa beads prescribed by our Bhakta leader, then sixteen

rounds, then 32, 64, and so on. But, in order to get the right effect from chanting any number of rounds we must achieve the clearing stage "Nama Bhasa" and finally the perfectional stage "Suddha Nama". If we are having trouble becoming free from offenses to the Holy Names, then it may actually help to engage in intensive studies of authorized Vaisnava teachings. And, if we engage in intensive study of Vaisnava teachings we must at least remember the final conclusion of all studies and philosophical research. The final conclusion is always found in complete surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Your servant in Krsna consciousness, Citraketu dasa Cell: 504-473-8257