Hari-nama (Letters)

Expressions researched:
"hari nama" |"hari-nama" |"hari-nama-sankirtana" |"harinam" |"harinama"

1947 to 1965 Correspondence

In this age all the Mantras that can help us reaching perfection up to the plane of Godhead—has been still more concentrated into the Hari-nama.

Letter to Sri Padampat Singhania -- Kanpur 7 May, 1957:

The powerful Mantras have such potency if they are sounded in the right direction. And by chanting the Mantras only one can spiritualise the whole existence as heat can expand on the spherical objects. Mantra Siddhi means complete liberation. Therefore, there is no difference between the holy name and Mantra. Man means mind and tra deliverance. That which delivers one from mental speculation is called "Mantra". "Mantra Siddhi" is to transcend the gross and subtle mental plane. The same meaning is for ___

In this age all the Mantras that can help us reaching perfection up to the plane of Godhead—has been still more concentrated into the Hari-nama. We find therefore in the Brhannaradiya Puranam (38/126) a particular stress on Harinama which is stated as follows:

harinama harinama harinama eva kevalam

kalau nastyeva nastyeva nastyeva gatir anyatha

The above statement is very important in the following manner. There are two different processes for acquiring knowledge. The one is Deductive Process and the other is Inductive Process. In the Deductive Process we deduce the conclusion from the statement of higher authorities whereas by the Inductive Process we make a research in the truth by our own imperfect knowledge and induce a conclusion.

1966 Correspondence

I am confident of the statement of Srila Haridasa Thakura that the transcendental sound of Lord Caitanya's Harinama can do good even to the birds and the beasts.

Letter to Tirtha Maharaja -- New York 4 February, 1966:

I may cite herewith one incidence which happened yesterday evening. I have prepared some Tape record of my personal Kirtana. When one of this Tape record was played the audience became practically charmed by that although not a single word of my language was understandable by them. So I am confident of the statement of Srila Haridasa Thakura that the transcendental sound of Lord Caitanya's Harinama can do good even to the birds and the beasts. Undoubtedly these Americans are habituated to take nonvegetarian food but I am confident that they can be trained up to our line of living because they are sincere to take up the training.

1967 Correspondence

You are correct in your conclusion that "Hari-Nama" is the only means for spiritual realization in this age.

Letter to Mr. and Mrs. Renovich -- New York 9 June, 1967:

I have noted the contents carefully, and I am glad that you are reading my god-brother's book (Raghava Caitanya Das). You are correct in your conclusion that "Hari-Nama" is the only means for spiritual realization in this age. Swami Bon Maharaja is also my God-brother, and under the discipline of our Spiritual Master we were all trained up for preaching this gospel of chanting the Holy Name, and I am trying to do my bit in these western countries; and by Krishna's Grace people are receiving the mantra with great interest.

In London there is one Miss. D.C. Bowtell, 27 Cranhurst Rd., Crickle cod, London. NW. 2. This old lady was given Hari Nama while my Guru Maharaja was on earth.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Delhi 3 October, 1967:

In London there is one Miss. D.C. Bowtell, 27 Cranhurst Rd., Crickle cod, London. NW. 2. This old lady was given Hari Nama while my Guru Maharaja was on earth. Since then she is maintaining one apartment & may be doing some preaching work. So Rayarama may open some correspondence with her before going there. This will help in the matter of opening center in London.

1970 Correspondence

When someone is very interested and recommended by the Temple Commander, for becoming initiated, I accept him and give him first initiation in the form of Harinama in a regular ceremony with fire sacrifice.

Letter to Hanuman Prasad Poddar -- Los Angeles 5 February, 1970:

Our initiation system is as follows: In our general thrice weekly classes we chant Hare Krishna Mantra in the beginning and at the end, and in the middle we speak on Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam regularly. In this class we do not prohibit anyone to come within the Temple, everyone is welcome. The only thing we ask visitors to leave their shoes at a specified place and sit down in the Temple crosslegged. If somebody finds difficulty to sit down crosslegged, we offer him a chair. So out of the members of the audience who come regularly, when one becomes more interested he is invited to participate in the program of Krishna Consciousness daily life and study. After some time of appreciating our program and trying to understand our philosophy, when someone is very interested and recommended by the Temple Commander, for becoming initiated, I accept him and give him first initiation in the form of Harinama in a regular ceremony with fire sacrifice. I chant Hare Krishna Mantra on the 108 beads and then the beads are offered to the disciple with a change of name as Krishna das. He is advised to strictly follow the regulative principles of 1. no eating of meat, fish, or eggs; 2. no taking of intoxicants including coffee, tea, and tobacco; 3. no illicit sex-life; and 4. no gambling or mental speculation.

1973 Correspondence

I have the information of a few cases of illicit sex in our society but this is not an overall thing. And whether it is or not, the only cure is Hari Nama.

Letter to Rupanuga -- Sydney 14 February, 1973:

I have the information of a few cases of illicit sex in our society but this is not an overall thing. And whether it is or not, the only cure is Hari Nama. You simply be engaged in chanting all day and serving Krishna and any time there is no service, simply chant Hare Krishna. Then there is no chance for illicit sex.

The time was there some years ago when Australia would not allow any colored men to enter, but now you have allowed Caitanya Mahaprabhu to enter Australia and inundated the whole country with Hari Nama Sankirtana.

Letter to Madhudvisa -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 3 September, 1973:

Your book selling report is very encouraging to me, so much so that I want to go there immediately. Anyway as soon as I get opportunity I shall go to Australia to visit all the nice places you have started and stay there for at least two months. Krishna has given you great opportunity to preach the Krishna Caitanya cult in that remote part of the world. The time was there some years ago when Australia would not allow any colored men to enter, but now you have allowed Caitanya Mahaprabhu to enter Australia and inundated the whole country with Hari Nama Sankirtana. Caitanya Mahaprabhu's another name is Pita Baranara Gaura, so by your combined effort I hope that one day Pita Baranara Gaura will rule over Australia. I think that Australia is a great field for these activities as it is evident from the book sales statistics gradually increasing. I am very much encouraged in this respect.

O rascal mind, what kind of Vaisnava are you. In a lonely place your chanting of Hare Krishna is simply cheating.

Letter to Govinda -- New Delhi 11 November, 1973:

Ookala, Hawaii

My Dear Govinda devi dasi:

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter undated and have noted the contents carefully. I do not know why you have parted from the Deities. Who has told you to do this? If you are at all interested, you can return. Your service was there. Why did you leave, and now you are whimsically asking for service. You never asked me before leaving. How can I guide you? If you act whimsically, nobody can make you happy.

In Honolulu tulsi is drying, and you have left this service. You introduced tulsi, and they are drying for want of water. Gaurasundara said to live alone, but our policy is to live with devotees. Immediately return and live with devotees and take care of the Deities and tulsi. That is our main business. My Guru Maharaja condemned living alone in a lonely place. He wrote as follows:

dusta mana, tumi kisera Vaisnava

pratisthara tare, nirjanera ghare,

tavra hari-nama kevala kaitava

"O rascal mind, what kind of Vaisnava are you. In a lonely place your chanting of Hare Krishna is simply cheating"

And, Narottama Das Thakura says:

tandera carana sevi bhakta-sane vasa

janame janame haya, ei abhilasa

"To serve the feet of the acaryas in association of the devotees is my desire birth after birth."

Why I have opened this Society. I was living with four children, and now I have 4,000. There is no good in living alone.

I hope this meets you in better health.

1974 Correspondence

Work combinedly and Europe can be made filled with Sankirtana. I have found all the countries eager to receive our message, especially France and Germany. Narottama dasa Thakura has sung: goloker premadhana, harinama-sankirtana.

Letter to Bhagavan -- Hong Kong 1 February, 1974:

I was very anxious to receive a letter and your recent report is very encouraging. The pictures sent by you are very welcome and very nice, and I thank you very much.

Now print as many literatures as possible in french language and distribute. If you have any money left from the recent donations of $20,000.00 I request you to spare something to contribute to our Vrindavan construction; it can be sent to account number 230 of the Punjab National Bank, Moti Bagh Branch, New Delhi.

Work combinedly and Europe can be made filled with Sankirtana. I have found all the countries eager to receive our message, especially France and Germany. Narottama dasa Thakura has sung:

goloker premadhana, harinama-sankirtana, ratina janmila kenetay

samsara-visanale, divanisi hiya jvale, judaite na kaimu upaya

Sankirtana is imported from Goloka Vrindaban it is not material musical rock and roll. It is actually imported from Goloka. Narottama sings, Everyone is burning in the materialistic way of life. That burning can be extinguished only be employing Hare Krsna maha-mantra. It is a fact that the western countries are in blazing fire of material enjoyment. But as soon as they take to Hare Krsna surely they will find peace and happiness. There is no doubt about it.

Regarding the abhiseka ceremony, actually it is to be done. There were mlecchas activities. But it does not required to be done because hari nama is going on, but if it is done for the general satisfaction, it will be better.

Letter to Gopijanavallabha -- Bombay 8 December, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated December 1, 1974 and have noted the contents carefully. Regarding the abhiseka ceremony, actually it is to be done. There were mlecchas activities. But it does not required to be done because hari nama is going on, but if it is done for the general satisfaction, it will be better. It is Krsna's mercy how easily they were purged out, otherwise it was reported that they were creating a very dangerous situation.

1976 Correspondence

All of the leaders should study my books books very carefully, since now everyone will have to appear for the examination. But I don't get any time to go into seclusion. My Guru Maharaja also did not approve of seclusion. He used to say: "Dusta mana, tumi kisera Vaisnava? Pratisthara tare, nirjanera ghare, tava hari-nama kevala kaitava."

Letter to Jayatirtha -- Mayapur 22 January, 1976:

I beg to thank you for your letter dated December 12th, 1975 reporting on your Zone for November, which arrived late due to having been redirected a number of times.

Your Zone's book distribution is most commendable. It is to your credit as a good manager that there are now no longer any debts to the Book Fund from the Western USA Temples. Now you will have to meet a very stubborn competitor, Madhudvisa Swami, who I have sent to New York to organize the new building and preaching activities.

All of the leaders should study my books books very carefully, since now everyone will have to appear for the examination. But I don't get any time to go into seclusion. My Guru Maharaja also did not approve of seclusion. He used to say: "Dusta mana, tumi kisera Vaisnava? Pratisthara tare, nirjanera ghare, tava hari-nama kevala kaitava." My dear mind, what kind of Vaisnava are you? Simply for cheap adoration you sit in a solitary place and pretend to chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, but this is all cheating.

Yajnaih sankirtana prayair, yajante hi sumedasah. This is the sacrifice for Kali-yuga, harinama sankirtana.

Letter to Sampath Kumar -- Hyderabad 20 August, 1976:

I am pleased to thank you for your kind help in organizing the Pratistha Yajnas for the opening ceremonies of the Sri Sri Radha-Madana-mohana Temple in Hyderabad.

The Yajnas were conducted very nicely and everything was very clean and neat. Actually in the Kali yuga the real yajna is the sankirtana yajna as it is prescribed in the Srimad-Bhagavatam,

krsna varnam tvisakrsnam

sangopangastra parsadam

yajnaih sankirtana prayair

yajante hi sumedasah

(SB 11.5.32)

This is the sacrifice for Kali-yuga, harinama sankirtana.

My request is that you should help us to spread this Krsna conscious brahminical culture over the world.