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[Author's note: Thakur Haridas prabhu's response to my earlier version of this note moved me to reconsider its tone. My real intent was not to belittle Ekesuara das or his passion. However, in an apparent attempt to appear more clever than Ekesuara, I allowed a snide tone to dominate the opening of the letter. That served to highlight my arrogance and, more importantly, to obscure and undermine my real purpose, which was to call attention to the way devotees often discuss issues we feel are important. Aware of the irony in doing so, with apologies to Ekesuara prabhu and all other devotees who found the harshness of my letter offensive, and with thanks to Thakur Haridas, I submit this revised version.]

The discussion over the use of clickers may seem unnecessary to many readers. It's hard for some to see how it addresses any essential principles of Krishna consciousness. However, some devotees often feel strongly enough about the issue that their passion allows some carelessness in their writing. Such careless writing threatens the integrity of any discussion as well as its author's credibility. On the other hand, more careful, deliberate writing will more effectively make its point, elicit more useful responses, and enhance our movement's prestige.

In what may have seemed to some as an attempt to seal the argument and have the last word, Ekesuara das has asserted that anyone who reads Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita "can see that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu chant [sic] rounds on Tulasi beads." Here he makes an assertion that he fails to support with any scriptural evidence. In fact, it appears that he is mistaken. In the purport to Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita 7.37, Srila Prabhupada tells us that "Chaitanya Mahaprabhu used to count on His fingers. While one hand was engaged in chanting, the other hand kept the number of rounds."

Ekesuara prabhu also claims that "the term 'japa mala' refers to chanting on the beads." In fact, "japa mala" is a string of beads on which one may chant japa. Japa does not mean chanting on beads but chanting softly. In his purport to Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.14.32, Srila Prabhupada explains that "When a Vedic mantra is chanted within the mouth so that only the chanter can hear, the chanting is called japa." In Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita Madhya 22.123, japa is given as "chanting softly." And in Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 9, Srila Prabhupada writes, "Chanting a mantra or hymn softly and slowly is called japa, and chanting the same mantra loudly is called kirtana."

How devotees keep track of their japa is not this letter's concern. It addresses only how discussions of so-called spiritual topics are conducted by Vaishnavas, especially in public. As Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport to Bhagavad-gita 17.15, discussing austerity of speech, "One should not speak in such a way as to agitate the minds of others. . . . This is penance as far as talking is concerned. Besides that, one should not talk nonsense. The process of speaking in spiritual circles is to say something upheld by the scriptures. One should at once quote from scriptural authority to back up what he is saying. At the same time, such talk should be very pleasurable to the ear. By such discussions, one may derive the highest benefit and elevate human society. There is a limitless stock of Vedic literature, and one should study this. This is called penance of speech." All that's required is a little introspection. We could just ask ourselves what our purpose is in writing a certain piece, then honestly examining it to discover whether it's actually likely to accomplish that end.

If an argument is conducted with the goal of discovering the truth, those who participate should be careful of their assertions. If the goal is simply to see one's name on the Web, score points, and enjoy the illusion of victory, then we may say anything we want, even if it is patently untrue. I suggest that readers who participate in public discussions take advantage of the opportunity of checking before they click on the Send button. I also humbly request that CHAKRA editors more vigorously enforce their simple editorial policy of not publishing material which deviates from Vaishava siddhanta as taught by Srila Prabhupada and which is "speculative or inaccurate." Then the site may benefit readers and uplift human society. Otherwise, CHAKRA risks becoming little more than a forum for gossip and other nonsense.

Yours in service,
Babhru das

© CHAKRA 01 February 2002