Hari nama sankirtan more important than 16 rounds–SP

September 21, 2017 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

“I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 14th, 1969, and I have received a similar letter from Brahmananda also that you are finding some difficulty in keeping pace regularly with the routine work. My advice to you under the circumstances is that at least for one hour you must all go to have sankirtana outside on the streets or in the park. That is your life and soul, first businessThe next business is completing the chanting of sixteen rounds every day.
The next business is your editing and if you find extra time then you can attend the temple ceremonies. Otherwise you can stop these activities, but outdoor kirtana, your editing work and chanting of sixteen rounds must be done. Outdoor kirtana must be done, even at the cost of suspending all editorial work. That is your first and foremost business. Temple worship is not so important. If need be, the whole temple can be locked, but the outdoor kirtana cannot be stopped.”
(SPL to Rayarama, 17th May, 1969)
 
Some Conclusions–
This is a very interesting letter by Srila Prabhupada where he is listing in order of importance our duties as devotees/disciples.

First thing is the Yuga Dharma-Congregational chanting– and take it outside, so that the  thousands of living entities  in various forms of life, who hears the Holy names will benefit. This is more important than chanting 16 rounds on japa mala a day. Why is this? Because by performing the yuga dharma (sankirtan) we get so much spiritual energy, then we will want to chant 16 rounds and these rounds  are easier to chant because we have already pleased the Yajna Purusha-Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu-the enjoyer of all our spiritual activities.
Then after Hari nama sankirtan and 16 rounds, then we do some of our duties, and then temple programs.
 
Hare Krsna
damaghosa das
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