December 11, 1975 : Vrindavan
Hari Sauri: During this morning's walk Aksayananda Swami sought shastric verification for our standards of chanting japa, which some have faulted. "Of course we accept," he said. "When you tell us to chant sixteen rounds, we accept that figure in perfect faith. You're the acharya. But what if we wanted to convince others? Is there any shastric or Vedic verse we can refer to, to corroborate that at least they must chant sixteen rounds? Or that many number of names?"
"No," Prabhupada answered. "In the shastra it is not said like that... It is said, sankhya-purvaka... You must fix up in numerical strength... whatever you can... But I have fixed up sixteen rounds, because you cannot do."
Aksayananda Swami confirmed, "That's all we can do."
Prabhupada smiled and added, with a touch of irony, "Yes. That also is difficult."
Aksayananda Swami laughed, "Yes."
Prabhupada continued, "Otherwise, Haridasa Thakura was chanting three lakhs. So, that is not possible. You should not imitate, but whatever you fix up you must do. That is wanted."
"No," Prabhupada answered. "In the shastra it is not said like that... It is said, sankhya-purvaka... You must fix up in numerical strength... whatever you can... But I have fixed up sixteen rounds, because you cannot do."
Aksayananda Swami confirmed, "That's all we can do."
Prabhupada smiled and added, with a touch of irony, "Yes. That also is difficult."
Aksayananda Swami laughed, "Yes."
Prabhupada continued, "Otherwise, Haridasa Thakura was chanting three lakhs. So, that is not possible. You should not imitate, but whatever you fix up you must do. That is wanted."
Reference: A Transcendental Diary Volume 1 - Hari Sauri Dasa
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