70 The Nectar of Instruction

liberated from the blazing fire of material existence, he can
relish the taste of transcendental life.

The conclusion is that in order to get freed from the ma-
terial disease, one must take to the chanting of the Hare
Krsna mantra. The Krsna consciousness movement is es-
pecially meant for creating an atmosphere in which people
can take to the chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra. One
must begin with faith, and when this faith is increased by
chanting, a person can become a member of the Society. We
are sending sarkirtana parties all over the world, and they
are experiencing that even in the remotest part of the world,
where there is no knowledge of Krsna, the Hare Krsna
mahd-mantra attracts thousands of men to our camp. In
some areas, people begin to imitate the devotees by shaving
their heads and chanting the Hare Krsna mahd-mantra,
only a few days after hearing the mantra. This may be
imitative, but imitation of a good thing is desired. Some imi-
tators gradually become interested in being initiated by the
spiritual master and offer themselves for initiation.

If one is sincere, he is initiated, and this stage is called
bhajana-kriya. One then actually engages in the service of
the Lord by regularly chanting the Hare Krsna maha-
mantra, sixteen rounds daily, and refraining from illicit sex,
intoxicants, meat-eating and gambling. By bhajana-kriya
one attains freedom from the contamination of materialistic
life. He no longer goes to a restaurant or hotel to taste
so-called palatable dishes made with meat and onions, nor
does he care to smoke or drink tea or coffee. He not only
refrains from illicit sex, but avoids sex life entirely. Nor is
he interested in wasting his time in speculating or gambling.
