278 Sri Caitanya-caritamrta [Antya-lila, Ch. 3

TRANSLATION

“Chant the Hare Krsna mantra continuously and render service to the tulasi
plant by watering her and offering prayers to her. In this way you will very
soon get the opportunity to be sheltered at the lotus feet of Krsna.”

PURPORT

At least five thousand years ago, Lord Sri Krsna expressed His desire that every-
one surrender to Him (sarva-dharmdn parityajya mam ekarh saranam vraja). Why is
it that people cannot do this? Krsna assures, aha tvam sarva-papebhyo mok-
sayisyami ma sucah: “I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.”
Everyone is suffering from the results of sinful activities, but Krsna says that if one
surrenders unto Him, He will protect one from sinful reactions. Modern civiliza-
tion, however, is interested neither in Krsna nor in getting relief from sinful acts.
Therefore men are suffering. Surrender is the ultimate instruction of Bhagavad-
gita, but for one who cannot surrender to the lotus feet of Krsna, it is better to
chant the Hare Krsna mantra constantly, under the instruction of Haridasa
Thakura.

In our Krsna consciousness movement we are teaching our followers to chant
the Hare Krsna mantra continuously on beads. Even those who are not ac-
customed to this practice are advised to chant at least sixteen rounds on their
beads so that they may be trained. Otherwise, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu recom-
mended:

trnad api sunicena
taror api sahisnund

amdanind manadena
kirtaniyah sada harih

“One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking
oneself lower than the straw in the street. One should be more tolerant than a
tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and ready to offer all respect to others. In
such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.” Sada
means “always.” Haridasa Thakura says, nirantara nama lao: “Chant the Hare Krsna
mantra without stopping.”

Although Krsna wants everyone to surrender to His lotus feet, because of
people's sinful activities they cannot do this. Na mam duskrtino mudhdah prapa-
dyante naradhamah: rascals and fools, the lowest of men, who engage in sinful ac-
tivities, cannot suddenly surrender to the lotus feet of Krsma. Nevertheless, if they
begin chanting the Hare Krsna mantra and rendering service unto the tulas7 plant,
they will very soon be able to surrender. One's real duty is to surrender to the
lotus feet of Krsna but if one is unable to do so, he should adopt this process, as
introduced by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His most confidential servant,
