4 rounds, 16 rounds or 64 rounds

[Guest guest]

> So one NIRBANDHA stands for 64 rounds. That is the reason why BSST

> prescribed chanting of a minimum of 64 rounds everyday, which is

> accordance to the instructions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in Caitanya

> Bhagavat.

 

Actually Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura prescribed a minimum of 4 rounds

(one granthi) for those engaged in preaching. He used to say: "Just don't

let the beads fast." This is still the harinama initiation standard in the

Gaudiya Matha. He prescribed 16 or 64 rounds for all others.

 

Srutakirti Prabhu quoted Srila Prabhupada where he said that he chanted 16

rounds during his grihastha days. As far as the standard for preachers is

concerned, Harikesa Prabhu said some time ago: "Prabhupada chanted maximum

four rounds a day. Maximum. I know, because I used to be with him in the

middle of the night. I know what he was doing. Maximum four rounds. Not more

than 20 minutes. Maybe sometimes 30 minutes of chanting."