16 rounds / chanting on beads / numerical strength

Trying to advance in spiritual life outside the disciplic succession is simply ludicrous. It is said, therefore: acaryavan puruso veda (Chand. Up. 6.14.2). One who follows the disciplic succession of acaryas knows things as they are. Tad-vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet (Mund. Up. 1.2.12). In order to understand the transcendental science, one must approach the bona fide spiritual master. The word smrtya is very important in spiritual life. Smrtya means remembering Krsna always. Life should be molded in such a way that one cannot remain alone without thinking of Krsna. We should live in Krsna so that while eating, sleeping, walking and working we remain only in Krsna. Our Krsna consciousness society recommends that we arrange our living so that we can remember Krsna. In our ISKCON society the devotees, while engaged in making Spiritual Sky incense, are also hearing about the glories of Krsna or His devotees. The sastra recommends: smartavyaḥ satatam visnuḥ. Lord Visnu should be remembered always, constantly. Vismartavyo na jatucit: Visnu should never be forgotten. That is the spiritual way of life. Smrtya. This remembrance of the Lord can be continued if we hear about Him constantly. It is therefore recommended in this verse: mukundacaritagrya-sidhuna. Sidhu means nectar. To hear about Krsna from Srimad-Bhagavatam or Bhagavad-gita or similar authentic literature is to live in Krsna consciousness. Such concentration in Krsna consciousness can be achieved by persons who are strictly following the rules and regulative principles. We have recommended in our Krsna consciousness movement that a devotee chant sixteen rounds on beads daily and follow the regulative principles. That will help the devotee be fixed in his spiritual advancement in life.    (More...)