94 THE SCIENCE OF SELF-REALIZATION

only chanting of the holy name of Hari [Krsna] that can save people from
the problems of materialistic existence, and there is no other alternative,
no other alternative, no other alternative in this age of Kali.

Western culture is monotheistic, but Westerners are being misled by
impersonal Indian speculation. The young people of the West are frus-
trated because they are not diligently taught about monotheism. They are
not satisfied with this process of teaching and understanding. The Krsna
consciousness movement is a boon to them because they are being really
trained to understand Western monotheism under the authoritative
Vedic system. We do not simply theoretically discuss; rather, we learn by
the prescribed method of Vedic regulations.

But I am surprised to see that in the last paragraph of your letter you
say, ‘‘It is an indisputable fact that the Bhagavad-gitd (not to mention the
Vedas) does not require such constant chanting.”’ I think that you have
missed the following verse in the Bhagavad-gita, apart from many other
similar verses:

satatam kirtayanto mam
yatantas ca drdha-vratah
namasyantas ca mam bhaktya
nitya-yukta upasate
[Bhagavad-gita 9.14]

The engagement of the great souls, freed from delusion and perfect in
their realization of God, is described here: satatam kirtayanto mam—they
are always (satatam) chanting (kirtayantah) My glories and— nitya-yukta
updsate—always worshiping Me (Krsna).

So I do not know how you can say ‘“‘indisputable.’’ And, if you want
references from the Vedas, I can give you many. In the Vedas, the chief
transcendental vibration omkara is also Krsna. Pranava omkara is the
divine substance of the Vedas. Following the Vedas means chanting the
Vedic mantras, and no Vedic mantra is complete without omkara. In the
Mandtikya Upanisad, omkara is stated to be the most auspicious sound
representation of the Supreme Lord. This is also confirmed again in the
Atharva Veda. Omkara is the sound representation of the Supreme Lord
and is therefore the principal word in the Vedas. In this connection, the
Supreme Lord, Krsna, says, pranavah sarva-vedesu: ‘‘I am the syllable om
in all the Vedic mantras.” [Bg. 7.8]

Furthermore, in Bhagavad-gita, Chapter Fifteen, verse 15, Krsna says,
‘*T am seated in everyone’s heart. By all the Vedas, I am to be known; I
