Question: Is it recommended to chant 64 rounds a day?
Maharaj, I am serving in ISKCON since the last six years as a full-time devotee. I have a desire to chant 64 rounds a day in the future.
- Please guide me if it is recommended nowadays?
- If no, then please mention reasons.
- If yes, please mention what is the qualification needed? And how much one should do physical services, reading and hearing along with 64 rounds?
Answer by Romapada Swami:
It is good to chant as many more rounds one can besides 16 rounds. So, if you are able to chant 64 rounds along with doing other services you may have as a full-time devotee, it is very good. For this you should take guidance from your local spiritual authority who have been guiding you in your spiritual journey.
Another important point to consider is to examine/introspect within oneself how much one is really absorbed in chanting versus something one does as an imposition on oneself. If the latter is the case, then chanting 64 may not be sustainable in the long term. It would be more mechanical. This is not to discourage you from chanting 64 rounds but to also make sure you have enough engagement in practical devotional service. After all, our chanting is a prayer to the internal potency of the Lord to keep us engaged in Krsna’s service. How much time one spends on doing service, reading, hearing, and doing other physical services will depend on one’s situation and inclination.
We should know that the process of spiritual advancement is a process of developing our relationship with Krishna. We should give chanting the main focus of our spiritual activities but at the same time, we should also see what are the ways in which we can develop our relationship with Krishna in a sustainable way.
